DMK Slams Congress as 'Backstabbers' Over Support to Vijay's TVK in Tamil Nadu

The political landscape of Tamil Nadu is in turmoil following the recent Assembly election results, with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) launching a scathing attack on its long-standing ally, the Indian National Congress. The DMK has vehemently denounced the Congress's decision to extend support to actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in its bid to form the government, labeling the move as "backstabbing" and a betrayal of the mandate. This controversial development has sent shockwaves through the INDIA bloc, exposing deep fissures within the opposition coalition. The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections saw actor Vijay's newly formed TVK emerge as the single largest party, securing 108 seats in the 234-member assembly. However, this impressive debut fell short of the required 118 seats for a simple majority. In this crucial juncture, the Congress, which contested the elections as part of the DMK-led alliance, decided to back TVK, a move that has deeply angered the DMK. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai articulated his party's strong displeasure, calling the Congress "backstabbers" and accusing them of acting without vision. He questioned the rationale behind the Congress's decision, especially given their limited seat count of five, and suggested it was a "myopic" move that would ultimately harm the party's credibility nationwide. Annadurai also pointed out that the Congress's success in securing its five seats was largely due to the DMK-led alliance, further fueling the resentment. Several reports indicate that the Congress leadership's decision to support TVK was made during a late-night Parliamentary Affairs Committee meeting. Following this, Congress MP KC Venugopal stated that the party's clear stance was for a secular government committed to upholding the Constitution. This rationale, however, has been dismissed by the DMK as lacking credibility. The DMK leadership has expressed concerns that this move could sow distrust among other INDIA bloc partners, including parties like the Samajwadi Party and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), who are working towards a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the national level. Adding to the controversy, some reports suggest that TVK has a perceived alignment with the BJP, with Vijay's initial expression of gratitude reportedly directed towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The DMK has used this to further criticize the Congress's decision, questioning the wisdom of supporting a party that may not be ideologically opposed to the BJP. Congress leaders, however, have defended their decision, emphasizing the need to form a secular government in Tamil Nadu and prevent the BJP and its proxies from gaining power. They have also highlighted the mandate given by the people of Tamil Nadu, which they believe favors a secular and progressive government. The fallout from this political realignment is expected to have significant implications for the INDIA bloc's unity and its strategy for the upcoming 2029 general elections. The DMK's strong reaction and the potential fracturing of alliances raise questions about the stability of the opposition's efforts to counter the BJP. The Congress's decision to break away from its long-standing alliance with the DMK, a partnership that had endured for multiple election cycles, signifies a dramatic shift in Tamil Nadu's political dynamics. The coming days will likely see further developments as parties reassess their positions and strategies in light of these events.

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