The aftermath of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election results has triggered a sharp public rift between two longtime allies — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress — after the latter chose to back actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for government formation.
Follow Live updates on post-poll TN politics
The DMK sharply condemned the Congress’s decision — a move that would bring the Grand-Old Party back into governance in Tamil Nadu after nearly 60 years.
TVK needs at least 11 seats to get majority
With the TVK falling short of the magic mark of 118 by some seats, Vijay needs the support of at least 11 MLAs to reach a simple majority and form the next government. Since Vijay won from two seats, vacating one of them would mean the TVK would be left with a tally of 108 in an Assembly of 234 members.
The Congress subsequently formally ended its long-standing alliance with the DMK and announced conditional support to the TVK for government formation, with the partnership reportedly intended not only for the immediate formation of the government but also for future elections.
The party stated that its support was conditional upon the TVK not associating with any communal forces or seeking support from the BJP and its alliance partners.
Also read: Hung Assembly in Tamil Nadu: what the Governor can and cannot do
DMK Treasurer TR Baalu launched a strong attack on Congress on the matter. Putting it plainly, he said, his party had always stood firm beside Congress during its darkest moments, and the cost of that loyalty had been steep — yet the DMK had borne it willingly, without complaint.
‘Congress backstabbed’
Party spokesperson Saravanan Anadurai said, “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 that the decision came even before the electoral process had fully concluded.
“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.
Also read: Will Vijay make it to the CM’s chair? Do others still have a chance?
Referring to the Congress’s decision to extend support to the TVK, Annadurai said, “We have supported the Congress through and through. And it is our leader, MK Stalin who projected Rahul (Congress leader) as the prime ministerial candidate.”
Questioning the arithmetic, he said the TVK lacked sufficient numbers to form the government.
(With agency inputs)
Comments are closed.