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Actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's (TVK) victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 has seemed to divide the opposition alliances in the state, leading to a rise in speculations over the government formation, with both the DMK-led bloc and the AIADMK camp showing visible cracks amid shifting political loyalties.
The Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress has decided to extend support to actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK to facilitate the formation of a "secular government" in the state.
The decision was taken during a late-night Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting held virtually, following a request from Vijay seeking the party’s backing, as per news agency PTI.
TVK asks Congress support, INC determined against BJP in TN
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal confirmed the outreach, stating, "TVK President Thiru Vijay requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu."
He added that the party remains committed to ensuring that “the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit,” and emphasised that the Congress is determined not to allow “the BJP and its proxies” to form the government.
Congress indicated a unanimous decision by PAC members to support TVK, as per news agency ANI.
The TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly — short of the majority mark by 11 (as Vijay will have to lose one of the two seats he won).
The Congress, with five MLAs, could play a crucial role in bridging the gap.
TVK lodges MLA-elect in hotel
Meanwhile, the TVK has lodged its 108 newly elected MLAs at a hotel in Chengalpattu near Mahabalipuram, as per ANI, while it continues negotiations with other parties to secure the required numbers.
TVK has reportedly also sought time of two weeks from the Tamil Nadu governor to prove majority.
DMK hits out Congress, calls move ‘backstabbing’
The Congress decision has triggered a sharp reaction from its former ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai as said that Congress has offered its support to the TVK.
"That is why we called it backstabbing... The Congress has decided to flip sides and support the TVK, and the reasons cited by them are not convincing," he said, as per ANI.
Annadurai also questioned the timing and implications of the move, stating, "If Congress is going to be so untrustworthy, just within a day of the results, they are openly going against the mandate." He warned that the decision could impact Congress’s credibility among other alliance partners across the country.
Echoing similar sentiments, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan criticised the Congress strategy, saying, "Congress is doing it in every state, and ultimately, they are losing in all of them… They are doing something which will close their party."
Also Read: Tamil Nadu govt formation: Key alliance scenarios for TVK, defection hurdles explainedAIADMK shows signs of internal divide
Parallel to the rift in the DMK alliance, the AIADMK too appears divided over extending support to TVK.
More than two-thirds of AIADMK MLAs — around 35 legislators — gathered at senior leader CV Shanmugam’s office in Chennai, signalling support for Vijay, as per News18.
These MLAs have reportedly urged party leadership to consider aligning with TVK, which still requires additional numbers to cross the majority threshold.
The development points to a potential split within the AIADMK, even as some leaders continue to describe the election setback as temporary.
With TVK also reaching out to smaller parties such as CPI, CPI(M), and PMK, the post-poll landscape in Tamil Nadu remains fluid, with multiple negotiations underway and alliances being recalibrated rapidly.
Also Read: Who is Kapil Sahu, mind behind Vijay and TVK’s historic win in Tamil Nadu
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The Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress has decided to extend support to actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK to facilitate the formation of a "secular government" in the state.
The decision was taken during a late-night Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting held virtually, following a request from Vijay seeking the party’s backing, as per news agency PTI.
TVK asks Congress support, INC determined against BJP in TN
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal confirmed the outreach, stating, "TVK President Thiru Vijay requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu."
He added that the party remains committed to ensuring that “the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit,” and emphasised that the Congress is determined not to allow “the BJP and its proxies” to form the government.
Congress indicated a unanimous decision by PAC members to support TVK, as per news agency ANI.
The TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly — short of the majority mark by 11 (as Vijay will have to lose one of the two seats he won).
The Congress, with five MLAs, could play a crucial role in bridging the gap.
TVK lodges MLA-elect in hotel
Meanwhile, the TVK has lodged its 108 newly elected MLAs at a hotel in Chengalpattu near Mahabalipuram, as per ANI, while it continues negotiations with other parties to secure the required numbers.
TVK has reportedly also sought time of two weeks from the Tamil Nadu governor to prove majority.
DMK hits out Congress, calls move ‘backstabbing’
The Congress decision has triggered a sharp reaction from its former ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai as said that Congress has offered its support to the TVK.
"That is why we called it backstabbing... The Congress has decided to flip sides and support the TVK, and the reasons cited by them are not convincing," he said, as per ANI.
Annadurai also questioned the timing and implications of the move, stating, "If Congress is going to be so untrustworthy, just within a day of the results, they are openly going against the mandate." He warned that the decision could impact Congress’s credibility among other alliance partners across the country.
Echoing similar sentiments, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan criticised the Congress strategy, saying, "Congress is doing it in every state, and ultimately, they are losing in all of them… They are doing something which will close their party."
Also Read: Tamil Nadu govt formation: Key alliance scenarios for TVK, defection hurdles explainedAIADMK shows signs of internal divide
Parallel to the rift in the DMK alliance, the AIADMK too appears divided over extending support to TVK.
More than two-thirds of AIADMK MLAs — around 35 legislators — gathered at senior leader CV Shanmugam’s office in Chennai, signalling support for Vijay, as per News18.
These MLAs have reportedly urged party leadership to consider aligning with TVK, which still requires additional numbers to cross the majority threshold.
The development points to a potential split within the AIADMK, even as some leaders continue to describe the election setback as temporary.
With TVK also reaching out to smaller parties such as CPI, CPI(M), and PMK, the post-poll landscape in Tamil Nadu remains fluid, with multiple negotiations underway and alliances being recalibrated rapidly.
Also Read: Who is Kapil Sahu, mind behind Vijay and TVK’s historic win in Tamil Nadu
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