Why Congress broke away from DMK in Tamil Nadu in such a hurry?

Megastar Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Friday finally managed to cross the majority mark required to form the government in Tamil Nadu after days of political uncertainty, intense negotiations, and shifting alliance equations following a hung Assembly verdict.

The breakthrough came after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) — all allies of the DMK led by outgoing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin formally extended support to Vijay to help him attain the critical majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.

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However, even before these parties officially backed the TVK, the Congress had, soon after the May 4 results, walked out of its two-decade-old alliance with the DMK and extended support to Vijay, reportedly without consulting Stalin — a move that triggered sharp tensions, with the DMK openly criticising the Congress and also seeking a separate seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha.

The developments have now sparked speculation over whether the DMK would continue backing the Opposition bloc if the ruling BJP-led NDA were to again introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to enable delimitation based on the 2011 Census and fast-track the Women’s Reservation Bill.

While observers say the Congress decision points to larger strategic calculations, sources indicate that the party had considered aligning with TVK ahead of the Assembly polls but refrained earlier due to ideological concerns and its long-standing ties with the DMK. The Tamil Nadu Congress unit had reportedly recommended a reassessment of the party’s position in the state and evaluating whether support to TVK could prove strategically beneficial in a changing political landscape.

Several Congress leaders now say that rejecting TVK’s earlier offer for an alliance was a political miscalculation. According to them, a long-term partnership with Vijay could benefit the Congress not only in Tamil Nadu but also in neighbouring Kerala during local body polls, Assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. A Congress leader claims had they not moved quickly, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) might have extended support to TVK, potentially giving the BJP political space in a state.

The 2026 Assembly elections, as expected, have triggered political realignments, but in politics there are no permanent friends or foes.

The next Lok Sabha elections is more than two years away and things will fall in place with the DMK, too, claim Congress leaders. Besides, a stake in Tamil Nadu will only help INDIA Bloc in future electoral battles, adding a popular superstar like Vijay as one of the star campaigners.

“The Congress suffered massive setbacks in Assam and saw alliances weaken in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry but it also managed to strengthen its presence in Kerala, adding to the list of party-ruled states that include Himachal Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Allying with Vijay keeps its foothold in Tamil Nadu,” observers add.