Congress To Stay In DMK Alliance In Tamil Nadu Amidst Some Leaders Want TVK Tie-Up
New Delhi: The Indian National Congress is set to maintain its alliance with Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, despite murmurs from a section of party leaders advocating a potential tie-up with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Top Congress brass, including President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, held marathon consultations with 39 Tamil Nadu leaders on Saturday, aiming to speak with one voice while pushing for a bigger slice of power in the southern state.
Sources close to the deliberations reveal that the high command patiently heard out individual views over more than four hours, with leaders explicitly barred from media interactions until National President Kharge delivers his final verdict. The move comes amid growing frustration over the party’s fractured public stance on alliances, with Kharge reportedly irked by divided opinions spilling into the open. “The Congress’ self-respect is paramount,” party insiders quoted the leadership as emphasising, as they stressed discipline and unity.
Tamil Nadu Congress chief K. Selvaperunthagai echoed this line, stating that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president had consulted members and advised against public discourse on alliances. “There should be no social media posts on the alliance. Whatever the AICC decides, state leaders should follow that,” he said, reinforcing the high command’s directive to avoid speculation.
While a vocal faction of senior leaders favours sticking with the DMK and ironing out seat-sharing and vote allocation through backchannel talks, the rank-and-file sentiment remains murky. The Congress, which contested 39 seats in the 2021 polls under the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), is now eyeing greater influence. It has decided against demanding ministerial berths if the DMK secures a clear majority but will press for power-sharing should the ruling party fall short. Another delegation is likely to be dispatched to Chennai soon to hammer out details.
Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal described the discussions as “detailed and fruitful,” noting collective sessions bookending one-on-one meetings. “The leadership patiently listened to all opinions, and leaders were given full opportunity to express their views. The discussion was constructive and focused on strengthening the party and future strategy in Tamil Nadu,” he said. The high command has been entrusted with final decisions on electoral tactics, always prioritising “the larger interests of the party ideology and the people of Tamil Nadu.”
Kharge struck an optimistic tone post-meeting, asserting confidence in Tamil Nadu’s electorate. “We are confident that the people of Tamil Nadu would choose equality, social justice, empowerment and good governance over bigotry, sectarianism, anti-federal and discriminatory politics of the RSS-BJP. The Congress is determined to play an important role in fulfilling the aspirations of the state,” he declared.
The alliance decision gains intrigue against recent overtures towards TVK, founded by popular actor Vijay, whose political entry has stirred the Dravidian heartland. Sections within Congress had warmed to the idea, especially after Rahul Gandhi publicly backed Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan amid a CBFC certification row. “The I&B Ministry’s attempt to block ‘Jana Nayagan’ is an attack on Tamil culture. Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people,” Gandhi tweeted, signalling sympathy for the young party’s anti-BJP stance.
Yet, the high command appears to have prioritised continuity with the DMK, which swept 133 seats in 2021 and remains a bulwark against BJP’s southern expansion. The partnership has yielded dividends for Congress, including cabinet berths last time, though allies grumble over the DMK’s dominance. With polls are months away, the Congress seeks at least 50 seats and key posts to bolster its revival in a state where it once ruled unchallenged. Congress enjoys a 10.67% vote share as per the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the second largest in the INDIA alliance grouping in Tamil Nadu. The party had managed to get 9/9 Lok Sabha seats, an increase of one seat from its previous tally.
Party strategists view the DMK tie-up as pragmatic, given TVK’s untested electoral machinery and Vijay’s novice status. “We’re not burning bridges, but realism dictates staying the course,” a senior leader confided, hinting at exploratory talks if dynamics shift. Meanwhile, discussions also touched Puducherry, where the local PCC plans a major padyatra from January 21, with high command participation.
