Congress MP Criticizes BJP's Influence in Tamil Nadu Politics

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has raised concerns about the BJP's increasing influence in Tamil Nadu's political scene, accusing the party of trying to control the state's dynamics amid swift changes. He highlighted the lack of an NDA presence and warned that the alliance between DMK and AIADMK could be harmful to the state's future. Tagore's remarks come as leftist parties consider their support for the TVK alliance, which has gained traction in recent elections. The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is shifting rapidly, and the implications of these developments are significant for the region's governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 8, 2026, 14:12 IST

Congress MP's Accusations Against BJP

On Friday, Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized the BJP, accusing it of attempting to exert control over Tamil Nadu's political landscape amid rapidly changing and unexpected developments. Tagore remarked that the situation in Tamil Nadu is evolving quickly, with sudden and unforeseen events occurring. He claimed that the state has transformed into one influenced by Nitish Kumar, with the BJP starting to establish its dominance in Tamil Nadu. Those who previously claimed to be out of control are now under BJP's influence, he asserted, adding that the AIADMK has surrendered and the BJP has taken over the DMK.

Concerns Over NDA's Presence

Tagore further stated that there is no NDA presence in Tamil Nadu, as the BJP holds only one legislative seat. He emphasized that BJP leaders, particularly Amit Shah, are determined to prevent Vijay Kumar from becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Addressing coalition partners from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and leftist parties, Tagore urged them to comprehend the BJP's strategic intentions. He expressed hope that they would not misinterpret the BJP's plans, stressing the need for all leftist allies and VCK members to understand that the alliance with AIADMK and DMK is occurring under the blessings of Narendra Modi.

Public Rejection of BJP's Plans

According to Tagore, the people of Tamil Nadu have rejected both him and Amit Shah's strategies. He warned that the alliance between DMK and AIADMK could be extremely detrimental to the state. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India convened separate executive meetings to consider withdrawing support for Vijay. Each party has two legislators, and their backing would increase the TVK alliance's seat count to 117, just one short of a majority in the 234-member assembly.

Leftist Parties' Strategic Meetings

Later in the day, leftist parties planned to meet with VCK leaders to finalize their decision regarding support for TVK, which won two seats in the elections. When asked about the potential support from his party, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan stated that a decision would be made after discussions with high-level committee members and leftist parties. He mentioned that a meeting with their committee members was scheduled for today to discuss the current political crisis, and they would decide based on the outcomes of the leftist parties' decisions. 'We are awaiting their decisions; that is my message,' he concluded.