After emerging as the single largest party, TVK moves closer to a majority with Congress support, even as the decision strains the latter’s long-standing alliance with the DMK
The Congress party has shared its intent to support actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in its bid to form a government. The decision comes after TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections but fell short of a clear majority.
The Congress leadership, following a high-level meeting at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi, said that their support is aimed at “protecting the Constitution” and ensuring a secular administration remains at the helm in Tamil Nadu.
“The mandate in Tamil Nadu is clearly for a secular government. We will not allow the BJP or its proxies to gain a foothold in the state,” stated Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal. “Vijay has expressed his inspiration from the late K Kamaraj, and we are committed to respecting the people’s sentiment,” he added.
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The numbers game
With TVK holding
108 seats in the 234-member house, Vijay needs at least 10 more to reach the magic number of 118. The Congress, which secured 5 seats, along with potential support from the Left parties (CPI and CPIM) and other smaller secular outfits, could push TVK over the finish line.
While the support appears imminent, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) has laid down a strict “secular litmus test.” The Congress has made it clear that their backing is contingent on TVK maintaining a distance from the BJP and its alliance partners.
Congress has also demanded that TVK refrain from seeking support from the lone BJP MLA or any saffron-aligned independents.
The focus remains on “social justice” and the “Dravidian model,” which Vijay has frequently echoed during his campaign trails.
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The move strains the 22-year-old alliance between the Congress and the DMK. By backing TVK, Congress is effectively choosing to support a new political force over its long-term partner.
In February 2024, Vijay officially transitioned from cinema to the political arena by launching his party. Moving beyond his
“Thalapathy” screen persona, Vijay positioned TVK as a centre-left alternative dedicated to secularism, social justice, and transparent governance.
First Published:
May 06, 2026, 06:15 IST
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