The BRICS TimesThe Indian National Congress has officially thrown its weight behind Thalapathy Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for forming the next Tamil Nadu government but only if communal forces stay out of the alliance. TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, still short of a majority.
Congress Makes It Official TVK Gets Its Crucial Backing
It was a late Tuesday night when Tamil Nadu’s political future shifted. The Indian National Congress long an ally of the DMK unanimously decided to back Thalapathy Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for government formation in the state. AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar called an emergency session of the Political Affairs Committee on Zoom. Senior members deliberated and the verdict was clear and unanimous.
In a formal press release, Chodankar confirmed that Vijay had personally reached out to the INC for support after the election results. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party both agreed to extend full support to TVK.
The One Condition Congress Laid Down
The support, however, comes with a firm rider. Congress made it clear communal forces must stay out of the proposed alliance. The party stated its backing goes beyond just government formation. Congress also signalled that cooperation with TVK could extend to future local body, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha elections.
“TVK President Thiru Vijay has requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu,” said Congress general secretary K C Venugopal. “The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit.”
The Congress also drew a firm line it is determined “not to have the BJP and its proxies run the government of Tamil Nadu in any manner.”
Kharge’s Residence Where the Decision Was Set in Motion
Before the late-night PAC meeting, top Congress leaders had already gathered at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Tuesday evening. Rahul Gandhi and Girish Chodankar were both present. The group discussed the post-election landscape in Tamil Nadu and laid the groundwork for the decision that followed.
Shortly after the formal announcement, senior Congress leaders including Chodankar and Praveen Chakravarthy made their way to TVK headquarters in Chennai.
The Numbers Game What TVK Actually Needs
TVK delivered a remarkable debut performance. The party launched only in 2024 claimed 108 seats in Tamil Nadu’s 234-member Assembly. But that falls short of the halfway mark. Vijay needs support from at least 10 to 12 more MLAs to cross the simple majority threshold.
Here is where things stand DMK won 59 seats, AIADMK 47, Congress 5, PMK 4, CPI and CPI-M 2 each, VCK 2, IUML 2, BJP 1, DMDK 1, and AMMK 1. Preparations are reportedly already underway at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium ahead of a possible swearing-in ceremony.
DMK Hits Back Hard
The Congress move did not go down well with the DMK. Party spokesperson Saravanan Anadurai pulled no punches. “The Congress party has decided to ally with the TVK, pledging their support to the party. I think they have backstabbed… They have backstabbed the people of Tamil Nadu. They’ve backstabbed the mandate given by the people of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Anadurai pointed out the timing calling it premature and opportunistic. “Even before the ink on the returning officer’s signature on the victory certificate dried up, they’ve chosen to go ahead with an alliance,” he said sharply.
He went further questioning Congress’s math and motive. “We have supported the Congress through and through. And it is our leader, M K Stalin who projected Rahul as the Prime Ministerial candidate,” he added.
Questioning TVK’s arithmetic, Anadurai noted “They need at least 11 to 12 MLAs to stay afloat. And Congress has only five MLAs. What difference will they make?” He claimed the party is “self-destructing” for the sake of just two cabinet berths.
He also raised the AIADMK angle with that party also reportedly in talks with TVK. “So whose support will the TVK take? Five MLAs or 47 MLAs? I don’t know who takes all these decisions and it is not in the interest of the country,” he said.
