Congress Backs TVK for Tamil Nadu Government Formation, Ends Alliance with DMK

Congress Shifts Support to TVK in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: The Congress party, a long-time ally of the DMK, announced on Wednesday its support for actor-politician Vijay's TVK in forming the government in Tamil Nadu, effectively severing ties with the Dravidian party. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party have decided to fully back TVK in its government formation efforts. Girish Chodankar, in charge of AICC Tamil Nadu, referenced a request from TVK leader Vijay for support in a statement.

The main opposition party has extended this support to Vijay on the condition that TVK keeps 'communal forces' at bay from this alliance. With Congress's decision to align with TVK, it is widely believed that the 22-year-old coalition with the DMK is coming to an end. However, Girish Chodankar stated that Congress remains in contact with the DMK, which is part of the 'India' coalition.

Since 2004, DMK and Congress have been allies, having collaborated on several occasions in the past. TVK leader Vijay had previously written to Congress leadership requesting support, which led to discussions among party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Rahul Gandhi, organization general secretary K.C. Venugopal, and Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, resulting in directives for the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee to consider the sentiments of the state. The decision to support Vijay was ratified in a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party, where S. Rajesh Kumar from Kanyakumari Killiur was also elected as the leader of the legislative party.

In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, TVK has secured 108 seats, with Vijay winning two of them. To form the government, TVK requires the support of 11 additional legislators. Congress has five elected members. Until now, Congress was part of the DMK-led coalition. Following the Congress Legislative Party meeting, Girish Chodankar stated, 'TVK president Vijay has formally requested Congress's support to form the government in Tamil Nadu.'

The people of Tamil Nadu, especially the youth, have expressed their vote for a secular, progressive, and welfare-oriented government that upholds constitutional principles with a clear and strong majority. They have chosen Vijay's TVK to lead the next government. He emphasized that Congress supports secular, progressive, and welfare politics in India and is a founding political party. Chodankar remarked, 'It is our constitutional duty to respect, uphold, and help realize this mandate from the people of Tamil Nadu.'

Thus, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party have decided to extend their full support to TVK for government formation. He added that Congress's support is contingent upon TVK distancing itself from all communal forces that do not believe in the Indian Constitution. He stated that the alliance between TVK and Tamil Nadu Congress aims to restore the glorious days of Perunthalaivar Kamaraj with a firm commitment to the ideals of social justice of Periyar and the constitutional ideals of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

A Congress leader mentioned, 'This alliance, based on mutual respect, fair sharing, and shared responsibility, is not only for the formation of this government but also for future elections at the local body, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha levels.' He added, 'Vijay and Rahul Gandhi are committed to honoring this historic decision of the people of Tamil Nadu for a secular and progressive government and fulfilling the dreams and promises of the youth.' Chodankar told reporters that the only condition for supporting Vijay is that no BJP or its allied party should be part of his government. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram emphasized the need to respect the mandate by supporting TVK.

He stated, 'The people of Tamil Nadu voted for change and for a government led by Vijay and TVK. However, TVK or any other party or coalition did not receive a decisive mandate. This mandate is for a change in government under Vijay's leadership, and it must be secular. Respecting this mandate, Vijay reached out to the Congress party, which has also extended its support for the formation.' Venugopal had mentioned to reporters on Tuesday night, 'TVK president Vijay has requested Congress's support to form the government in Tamil Nadu. He has also expressed a desire to draw inspiration from Perumthalaivar Kamaraj in his political mission. Congress firmly believes that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government committed to upholding the Constitution.' He stated that Congress is committed to ensuring that the BJP and its representatives do not influence the Tamil Nadu government in any way.