Will Vijay's TVK Join INDIA Bloc If DMK Quits Over Congress 'Betrayal'?

Will Vijay's TVK Join INDIA Bloc If DMK Quits Over Congress 'Betrayal'? Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 22:13 IST DMK sought to underline that its boycott was directed at the Congress rather than the alliance itself. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu CM Vijay. The DMK’s decision to boycott the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on June 8 over what it described as the Congress’ “betrayal" in Tamil Nadu triggered fresh speculation over the future of the opposition alliance in the state and whether Vijay’s ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) could eventually emerge as the Congress’ new partner within the national coalition. The immediate trigger for the standoff is the Congress’ dramatic post-election realignment in Tamil Nadu. Faced with a choice between standing by its decades-old ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), or backing Vijay’s TVK as it sought to form a government, the Congress opted for the latter, extending support from its five MLAs to help the actor-turned-politician secure a majority. The decision has left the MK Stalin-led DMK deeply aggrieved. In a statement, the party announced that it would not participate in the INDIA bloc meeting scheduled in Delhi on June 8, citing the Congress’ conduct after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. “Respecting the feelings of party workers who have been deeply hurt by the betrayal inflicted on the DMK by the Congress after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the DMK will not participate in the INDIA alliance meeting to be held in Delhi on June 8, that is, a meeting in which the Congress is participating," the party said. While stopping short of announcing an exit from the INDIA bloc, the DMK made it clear that its relationship with the Congress had entered a turbulent phase. The party sought to underline that its boycott was directed at the Congress rather than the alliance itself. It reiterated that it would continue supporting opposition initiatives on national issues and highlighted its role as one of the principal architects of the INDIA bloc. “From the very beginning of the INDIA alliance, the DMK functioned as its central driving force," the statement said. The party pointed to its opposition to issues such as NEET, delimitation, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, One Nation One Election, the Waqf Act and amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), saying it had fought these battles in Parliament, courts and public forums. The boycott nevertheless raises larger questions about the future shape of opposition politics in Tamil Nadu and beyond. The Congress’ decision to support the TVK government has already been rewarded. After becoming chief minister, Vijay inducted two Congress MLAs into his Cabinet, cementing the new partnership between the two parties. In another significant gesture, the TVK government recently allotted the state’s lone Rajya Sabha vacancy to the Congress despite possessing the numbers to field its own candidate. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: June 04, 2026, 22:13 IST News india Will Vijay's TVK Join INDIA Bloc If DMK Quits Over Congress 'Betrayal'? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...