Published May 05, 2026 | 11:02 PM ⚊ Updated May 05, 2026 | 11:02 PM
Earlier in the day, a meeting chaired by State Congress president K Selvaperunthagai authorised the party’s central leadership to decide on alliances.
Synopsis: Congress high command has left the decision on whether to extend support to Vijay’s TVK, which is seeking allies to form a government after falling short of a majority, to its Tamil Nadu unit. The TVK is the single largest party with 108 seats, 11 short of the halfway mark. Others, including Left parties and the VCK, said they will decide after internal consultations.
AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on Tuesday, 5 May said the party’s Tamil Nadu unit will take the final call on support to the TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay, who is seeking allies to form the government after falling short of a majority in the Assembly elections.
The TVK is the single largest party with 108 seats but is 11 short of the halfway mark. Vijay has started talks with the Congress and other parties in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance to bridge the gap and secure the numbers to form the government.
“TVK president Vijay has requested INC for support to form a government in Tamil Nadu. INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government, committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to allow the BJP and its proxies to run the Tamil Nadu government in any manner,” Venugopal said, addressing reporters in New Delhi.
“Accordingly, the Congress leadership has directed the TNCC to take a final decision on Vijay’s request, keeping in view the sentiments reflected in the electoral verdict.”
Earlier in the day, a meeting chaired by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai authorised the party’s central leadership to decide on alliances. But the high command has now sent the matter back to the State unit, suggesting the decision will likely turn on local political considerations.
Notably, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Rahul Gandhi was among the first to congratulate Vijay over the phone after the result. He did not, however, comment publicly on the DMK’s defeat, the Congress’s principal ally.
According to political analyst Arun Kumar, based on Rahul Gandhi’s outreach and statements from Congress leaders, the likelihood of the party extending support to the TVK is high.
The crushing defeat of all parties, including Congress’ own bloc led by DMK, has opened up opportunities for new political equations to emerge. A section of Congress leaders have been pushing to split from the DMK in Tamil Nadu even in the run up to the elections. With the results throwing up a broken mandate, Congress has cited the need for “secular government” and the importance of “keeping BJP away” as a priority. The Congress now has an ideological reason to back Vijay’s TVK and split from the DMK, if need be. Whether the party will extend support to the TVK or join Vijay as a coalition partner and be part of the government is yet to be decided.
The Congress is not the only party in the DMK bloc to express willingness to support the TVK.
Even before the elections, sections within both the CPI and the CPI(M) expressed support for an alliance with the TVK during internal discussions.
After the result, Communist Party of India State secretary M Veerapandian told South First that the party will take a decision only after discussions in its State executive committee.
Likewise, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Left parties said they will arrive at a collective decision on whether to extend support.
“Whatever decision we take will be in consultation with the Left parties. The people of Tamil Nadu have rejected communal forces and have voted for a coalition government as we had advocated,” VCK general secretary and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan told reporters.
But VCK MP D Ravikumar said it is still unclear whether the party, which won two seats, will support Vijay.
Beyond the DMK-led bloc, parties in the AIADMK bloc are also on the TVK’s radar. The Pattali Makkal Katchi , led by Anbumani Ramadoss, has won four seats and is one of the parties Vijay may approach for support.
PMK treasurer Thilagabama, who contested against Vijay in Perambur, said the party leadership will decide on matter.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
