Congress Stands Firm in Support of TVK Amid Political Shifts in Tamil Nadu

In a bold statement, Congress MP Manickam Tagore affirmed the party's unwavering support for the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), rejecting any need for apologies. This declaration comes as the political landscape in Tamil Nadu shifts following recent assembly elections, where TVK emerged as a significant player. Tagore criticized the DMK for its negotiations with the AIADMK, suggesting that such actions are backed by the BJP. With the alliance's seat count still short of a majority, the dynamics of Tamil Nadu politics remain tense. Discover how these developments could reshape the state's political future.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 8, 2026, 16:58 IST

Congress's Unwavering Support for TVK

On Friday, Congress MP Manickam Tagore declared that the party will not apologize for its decision to support the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), emphasizing that the party has always been opposed to the BJP. He also accused the DMK of engaging in discussions with its long-time rival, the AIADMK. In his statement, Tagore argued that if the goal is to keep the NDA out of power and respect a mandate that feels 'stolen,' then aligning with a party like TVK is a strategically wise move, especially when the alternative involves secret alliances under the BJP banner. He claimed that the DMK-AIADMK talks are happening with the 'blessing of the BJP' and labeled this potential reorganization as merely a new name for the NDA.

Political Landscape Post Tamil Nadu Elections

Tagore's remarks come in the wake of the shifting political landscape following the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, where Congress distanced itself from the DMK-led SPA alliance and chose to support TVK. The TVK secured 108 seats, falling short of the 118 needed for a majority. One of the two seats won by Vijay will be vacated, bringing TVK's effective count to 117. With Congress holding five seats, the alliance will total 112 members, just five short of a majority. Tagore criticized media narratives that blame Congress for the current instability, asserting that Rahul Gandhi had reached out to leaders of the INDIA bloc after the election results in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Congress's Commitment to Stability

Rahul Gandhi made calls to Stalin and Mamata on the day of the results, publicly supporting Mamata the next morning, claiming that the BJP had 'stolen' 100 seats in Bengal. He reiterated Congress's backing of TVK to honor the people's mandate, establish a stable government, and keep the NDA out of power. Despite this, media outlets aligned with the DMK have been blaming Congress. Tagore pointed out that while the DMK is negotiating with the AIADMK, which he described as practically synonymous with the NDA, Congress's support for TVK remains steadfast. He emphasized that TVK has been anti-BJP from the start, and Congress will not apologize for this alliance. The political deadlock in Tamil Nadu continues, marked by a film superstar's entry into politics against traditional power holders. TVK emerged as the largest party with 108 seats, breaking the long-standing DMK-AIADMK monopoly. However, even with Congress's five seats, the newly formed alliance still has only 113 seats, five short of the magical number of 118 in the 234-member assembly.