Congress extends support to Vijay to form govt in Tamil Nadu

The Indian National Congress (INC) on Wednesday formally extended support to actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the next government in Tamil Nadu, while making it clear that the backing hinges on keeping “communal forces” out of the alliance.

In a statement, the party’s Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar said Vijay had sought Congress support after TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections. The Congress described the verdict as a mandate for a “secular, progressive and welfare-oriented government” anchored in constitutional values.

“The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislature Party have decided to extend full support to the TVK to form the government,” the statement said, adding that voters — particularly the youth — had chosen Vijay to lead the state.

However, the party underlined a clear caveat. Its support, it said, would depend on ensuring that “communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India” are kept out — an apparent reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies.

The development is significant as TVK, contesting its first Assembly election, secured 108 seats in the 234-member House — just 10 short of the majority mark. The Congress, which won five seats as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, could prove crucial in helping Vijay stake claim to power.

Positioning the tie-up as more than a post-poll arrangement, the Congress said the partnership carries a “historic responsibility” and is expected to extend to future electoral contests, including local body, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections.

The statement also invoked the legacy of former chief minister K. Kamaraj and reaffirmed commitment to the ideals of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and B. R. Ambedkar, framing the alliance as rooted in social justice and constitutional principles.

It added that Vijay and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are aligned on respecting the people’s mandate and working to fulfil the aspirations of Tamil Nadu, especially its youth.

The decision followed a late night video call with Congress seniors, MPs and MLAs from TN hosted by AICC leader Girish Chodankar at which “95% favoured a tie-up with TVK”.

Earlier in the day, new AIADMK MLA Leema Rose Martin said TVK is in touch with her party, but another AIADMK leader later ruled out supporting TVK. The tally of TVK, which won 108 seats, will drop to 107 after Vijay resigns the Trichy East seat on Wednesday. 

Then, in the 233-member assembly, he needs the support of 117 MLAs. Sources said TVK intermediaries have reached out to VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, besides Congress. VCK has two seats and PMK four.

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said in Delhi that the verdict in TN is for a secular govt.

“INC is determined not to have BJP and its proxies to run the govt in any manner ... Congress leadership has directed TNCC to take a final decision on Vijay’s request keeping in view the sentiments of the state reflected in the electoral verdict,” he said.

‘Secular forces must unite to protect TN from RSS’

Thol Thirumavalavan-led VCK, the third recognized party in the DMK alliance, is watching the developments cautiously.

AIADMK is also assessing its options. Leaders close to Edappadi K Palaniswami said that Vijay would struggle to run a stable govt with support only from DMK allies and would need a more secure arrangement that could function “without fear of BJP pressure.” “BJP concurrence is a must for any AIADMK tie-up with the actor,” said a leader. 

There is also speculation within a section of BJP that the party could back Vijay by engineering a split in AIADMK. BJP won just one seat, down from four in the previous election.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the state again rejected the NDA and it was the duty of the secular forces to stop any manipulation of the verdict. “Secular forces must come together to protect Tamil Nadu from RSS proxies and from hate politics. Hope all egos are left behind to protect Tamil Nadu,” he posted.

--Agencies