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Congress’s decision to support Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu has triggered a political chain reaction. It now threatens one of its oldest alliances and has intensified tensions within the INDIA bloc.
The context is significant. TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with 108 seats. It fell just ten short of a majority. Instead of backing its long-time ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress chose to support TVK. The move signals a clear political shift ahead of the 2029 general elections.
The BJP quickly moved to frame the narrative. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala accused Congress of treating its allies as disposable. He argued that the party’s approach reflects convenience rather than commitment.
DMK signals breach of trust
The sharper reaction came from within the alliance. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai openly criticised Congress’s decision. He called it “myopic” and described the party as a “backstabber”.
Annadurai made a pointed electoral argument. Congress won just five seats in the state elections. He said that success came only because of the DMK alliance. Without it, he claimed, the party would have drawn a blank. The criticism was not limited to numbers. It extended to ideology.
He questioned Congress’s decision to support TVK. According to him, Vijay’s party has not taken a clear stand against the BJP or Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He cited Vijay’s public acknowledgement of Modi after the election results. He asked whether such a position aligns with the INDIA bloc’s stated principles.
Annadurai also warned of wider consequences. He said the move could unsettle other alliance partners, including Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Uddhav Thackeray. The message was direct. Trust within the bloc is now under strain.
Congress cites mandate, seeks to contain fallout
Congress has defended its decision. It says the move reflects a “secular mandate” in Tamil Nadu. Party general secretary KC Venugopal stated that Vijay approached Congress for support to form the government. The leadership then asked its state unit to take a final call based on the electoral verdict.
The friction is not new. Congress and the DMK were already at odds over power-sharing before the elections. That dispute had strained the alliance. The latest move has deepened the divide. Reports suggest Congress expects two ministerial positions in a potential TVK-led government. This has added to perceptions of political opportunism.
A wider signal for the opposition
The developments go beyond Tamil Nadu. They expose deeper fault lines within the INDIA bloc. Allies now face uncertainty over Congress’s political strategy and consistency.
TVK has ruled out support from the BJP on ideological grounds. Yet its alignment with Congress has altered the state’s political equations. For the DMK, the issue is no longer limited to Tamil Nadu. It now concerns the future of its partnership with Congress.
As the 2029 general elections approach, opposition unity remains a key challenge. Congress may have gained tactical ground in Tamil Nadu. The cost to its broader alliance is already becoming clear.
