Chennai: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) sharply criticised its long-time ally, the Congress, for extending support to actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the aftermath of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The controversy erupted after Congress signalled its willingness to back the TVK—now the single largest party in the state—to form the government. Reacting strongly, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai described the move as “backstabbing,” accusing the Congress of abandoning alliance principles for political convenience.
Annadurai argued that Congress’s electoral performance in the state—where it secured just five seats—was largely due to its alliance with the DMK. Without that partnership, he claimed, the party would have “drawn a blank” in the elections.
He also questioned the ideological basis of the Congress’s decision, pointing to what he alleged were indications of proximity between the TVK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to him, Vijay had not openly criticised the BJP or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising doubts about the Congress’s justification for supporting the fledgling party.
“TVK has never spoken a single word against the BJP or Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In fact, today Vijay’s first thanks is not to the people of the state who elected him, not to his constituents who elected him, not to his members who worked for him to get him elected. His first thanks is to PM Modi. And Rahul Gandhi wants to support this kind of person?” Saravanan said, as quoted by NDTV. He mentioned this while citing Vijay’s X post thanking PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi for their wishes on his poll victory.
Despite the criticism, the DMK spokesperson later struck a conciliatory note toward Vijay, wishing him well ahead of a possible swearing-in ceremony, but maintained that the Congress’s decision amounted to a betrayal of alliance partners.
The row comes at a crucial time, as Tamil Nadu has delivered a fractured mandate. The TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, falling short of the majority mark, while the DMK-led alliance was reduced to 73 seats and the AIADMK-led bloc secured 53.
Congress’s support could prove decisive in enabling Vijay to form the government. The party has justified its stance by stating that it aims to prevent the BJP or its “proxies” from gaining power in the state.
However, the decision has triggered wider concerns within the opposition INDIA bloc, of which both the DMK and Congress are key members. DMK leaders warned that such moves could damage trust among allies and weaken the coalition’s prospects ahead of the 2029 general elections.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil, has confirmed Congress’s decision to support TVK. “Yes, the Political Affairs Committee has authorised the TNCC to support TVK in government formation,” he told NDTV.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was clearly in favor of supporting TVK. Congress President Kharge wanted the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee to make this decision instead of the Delhi leaders, sources said, as per a NDTV report.
A late-night virtual meeting of the Congress Political Affairs Committee reportedly authorised the state unit to back TVK’s government formation.
