In a crucial post-election development, the Indian National Congress is likely to extend conditional support to actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, to form the next government in Tamil Nadu. The backing, however, is likely to come with a clear caveat: no alliance with what the Congress terms “communal forces.”
The decision, sources say has already been formalised by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party, with AICC in-charge Girish Chodankar stating that support hinges on TVK maintaining a “secular and constitutional framework” in its alliances.
Numbers Game Still Tight
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 234-member Assembly with 108 seats—10 short of the majority mark of 118. With Congress adding its five MLAs, Vijay’s tally rises to 113, leaving him still short by five seats.
To bridge the gap, TVK has opened channels with parties such as the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist). If these parties come on board, the alliance could cross the halfway mark with a narrow but workable majority.
Cabinet Bargaining Begins
Sources indicate that Congress support may not be unconditional beyond ideology. The party is expected to seek representation in the cabinet—likely two ministerial berths—as part of the arrangement. Similar demands are anticipated from other prospective allies, setting the stage for intense negotiations.
Signals from Rival Camps
In a parallel development, TVK leaders have reportedly reached out to Edappadi K. Palaniswami of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. While no formal alliance has emerged, the outreach suggests fluid political equations and potential cracks within existing alignments, particularly those involving the BJP.
End of a Political Duopoly
The election has redrawn Tamil Nadu’s political map. TVK’s rise has broken the decades-long dominance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and AIADMK, which had alternated power for over six decades. In the final tally, DMK secured 59 seats and AIADMK 47, both trailing significantly behind Vijay’s debutant outfit.
Vijay’s Personal Mandate
Vijay himself contested from two constituencies—Trichy East and Perambur—and won both. Party sources suggest he is likely to retain Perambur, which would trigger a bypoll in Trichy East.
A Broader Political Understanding
The Congress has framed its support as part of a longer-term partnership, extending beyond immediate government formation to future local body, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha elections. In its statement, the party emphasised a “shared commitment to a secular and progressive governance model,” with references to alignment between Vijay and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
What Lies Ahead
With the Governor expected to be approached soon, the focus now shifts to whether Vijay can stitch together the final numbers. The ideological red lines drawn by Congress, combined with competing demands from smaller allies, mean the path to government formation remains delicate.
For now, Vijay stands at the centre of Tamil Nadu politics—close to power, but still needing careful coalition arithmetic to cross the finish line.
It must be noted that TVK Vijay’s main rival is the DMK party which is a part of the Congress led INDIA, the coalition against BJP led NDA. DMK has 22 Loksabha MPs and 7 Rajyasabha MPs.
The alliance between the Indian National Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has been one of the most durable partnerships in Tamil Nadu’s post-Independence political landscape. Its roots go back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the Congress—then a dominant national force—began aligning with regional Dravidian parties to retain relevance in the state. Over time, ideological convergence around secularism, social justice, and federalism cemented the relationship. The alliance saw multiple phases, including brief ruptures, but re-emerged strongly in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, when the Congress-DMK combine swept Tamil Nadu as part of the UPA coalition led by Manmohan Singh.
However, the 2026 Tamil Nadu election results—where a new player disrupted the Dravidian duopoly—introduced fresh uncertainty. While the Congress continues to align with the DMK ideologically, its tactical flexibility has become evident in post-poll negotiations, signalling that the alliance, though historically resilient, is now navigating a more fragmented and competitive political terrain. In the past, DMK was a part of NDA also.
The DMK joined the NDA in 1999 under the leadership of M. Karunanidhi and supported the BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This alliance lasted until 2003, when the DMK exited the NDA over political differences, including issues related to Tamil Nadu politics and its rivalry with the AIADMK, which had closer ties with the BJP at different points. After leaving the NDA, the DMK shifted back to the Congress-led camp and became a key constituent of the UPA from 2004 onwards. Since then, it has maintained a consistent anti-BJP stance and has not returned to the NDA. However, now, Congress may move away from DMK in Tamilnadu.
Also Read: Thalapathy Rises: 5 Big Reasons Tamil Nadu Chose TVK Vijay https://www.vibesofindia.com/why-tamil-nadu-chose-tvk-vijay/
