DMK slams Congress as ‘backstabber’ over TVK support, flags wider INDIA bloc fallout
Chennai – The results reshaped Tamil Nadu’s power map. Then, alliance fault lines surfaced within hours. As a result, the Dravida Munetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress locked horns over support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party led by Vijay.
On the ground in Chennai, party workers voiced sharp reactions. DMK cadres gathered outside district offices and accused Congress of betrayal. Meanwhile, TVK supporters celebrated near counting centres and projected confidence about forming the next government. Police maintained tight deployment as rival groups exchanged slogans but avoided escalation.
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai led the attack. He called Congress a “backstabber” and questioned its sudden shift. He argued that Congress secured five seats only because it aligned with the DMK. He insisted the party would have struggled otherwise. He also avoided commenting on Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, which added to speculation within political circles.
Then, Annadurai raised ideological concerns. He claimed TVK stayed silent on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed to Vijay’s public message that thanked both Modi and Rahul Gandhi after the results. He questioned why Congress would back a party that, in his view, avoided direct criticism of the BJP. He stressed that the INDIA bloc rests on shared ideology, not convenience.
At the same time, TVK pushed its numbers. The party emerged as the single largest group with 108 seats, just short of a majority. Leaders signalled readiness to form the government with outside support. They also rejected any backing from the BJP and cited ideological differences. Supporters on the ground echoed that line and framed TVK as a fresh alternative in state politics.
Later, Annadurai softened his tone but repeated his charge. He wished Vijay well for the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for May 7. However, he warned that Congress’s move could trigger distrust across the INDIA alliance. He named leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and Uddhav Thackeray while raising concerns about ripple effects. He argued that partners may rethink coordination if Congress changes stance so quickly after results.
Congress, however, defended its decision. General secretary K. C. Venugopal said Vijay reached out and sought support. He said the party acted to uphold a secular mandate and to keep the BJP and its allies out of power in Tamil Nadu. He added that the state unit would take the final call based on public sentiment.
The DMK-Congress partnership has shaped Tamil Nadu politics for years. However, tensions grew before the 2026 polls when talks on power-sharing stalled. Congress pushed for a larger role, while DMK held its ground. That strain now shows in the open. The sudden Congress-TVK alignment marks a sharp turn and introduces a new power equation in the state.
If TVK secures outside support, it could lead the next government. That outcome may redraw alliances beyond Tamil Nadu. For now, DMK signals caution, Congress signals strategy, and TVK signals momentum. The INDIA bloc faces its first major test after the verdict, and its partners now watch each move closely.
