Published May 26, 2026 | 11:03 AM ⚊ Updated May 26, 2026 | 11:25 AM
Tamil Nadu Congress MP Jothimani.
Synopsis: Karur MP Jothimani said that the party, despite being an alliance partner of TVK and part of the state government, cannot support any political moves that weaken democracy, including “horse-trading politics”. She stressed that the party could not endorse every political method adopted by TVK, particularly if such methods weakened democratic values.
Congress MP Jothimani, representing the Karur constituency in Tamil Nadu, said on Tuesday, 26 May, that the party, despite being an alliance partner of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and part of the state government, cannot support any political moves that weaken democracy, including “horse-trading politics”.
In a strongly worded statement, Jothimani said the people of Tamil Nadu elected TVK leader C Joseph Vijay as the chief minister with expectations of a good government, and added that there are clear indications that he understands this responsibility.
She said Congress would stand firmly with the government as an alliance partner to help deliver effective governance to the people of Tamil Nadu. However, she stressed that the party could not endorse every political method adopted by TVK, particularly if such methods weakened democratic values.
“Any political approach must strengthen democracy, not weaken it,” she said, adding that expressing differing opinions within an alliance is both morally and politically correct. Referring to the Tamil literary phrase “thozhamai suttuthal” (friendly criticism), she said constructive criticism among allies was a democratic necessity.
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Jothimani further stated that no one in the Congress party could justify horse-trading politics. She accused the BJP of repeatedly using defections and political inducements as a weapon to weaken democracy and destabilise Congress governments in several states across India, often acting against the people’s mandate.
She asserted that the Congress party could never adopt a dual stand by opposing horse-trading outside Tamil Nadu while supporting it within the state.
“If Congress becomes a force that weakens democracy, it would amount to a historic betrayal of the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the party’s core principles,” she said.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Jothimani said he has been fighting uncompromisingly for ideological principles, and warned that any attempt to weaken that struggle could not be accepted, irrespective of who was involved.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
