The Paradigm Shift in Tamil Nadu: How the Congress–TVK Axis Dismantled Dravidian Duopoly
The Growing Rift in the DMK–Congress Alliance
There are many valid reasons for the Congress to desert the DMK in Tamil Nadu. It has been waiting for an opportunity for decades. DMK has ceased to respect the Congress party as a partner. It allowed the Congress to contest the elections as a coalition partner but did not make any special efforts to help Congress candidates win. The DMK never asked the Congress to join its ministry.
Congress leaders like Chidambaram and Mani Shankar Aiyar were happy with DMK and Stalin because they were respected in their individual capacity. But younger leaders like Manikkam Tagore and Praveen Chakravarthy were disgruntled with the DMK. Rahul Gandhi called Stalin his elder brother but did not partake in the election campaign in 2026. We had not witnessed Rahul sharing the dais with Stalin during these elections. He was feeling sidelined and insulted by the big brother attitude of the DMK.
The Secret Negotiations with Vijay’s TVK
Actor Joseph Vijay met Rahul Gandhi in 2009. He wanted to probe the chances of his joining the Congress. Vijay was an admirer of Ambedkar and Kamaraj. Vijay’s plans to join the Congress did not materialize at that time. He continued to be in touch with Rahul Gandhi.
Both Tagore and Praveen Chakravarthy were sure that the people of Tamil Nadu were bent upon voting for Vijay’s TVK. They tried to persuade Rahul Gandhi to have electoral tie-up with Vijay. They negotiated with Vijay in their personal capacity for seat-sharing. Vijay is understood to have offered 40 to 45 seats. But Chidambaram and others had put their foot down. They were certain that the alliance headed by the DMK would win majority and continue in the government. Chidambaram said in an interview with India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai that the decision to sail with the DMK was a collective one taken by the Congress high command after consulting more than fifty Congress leaders from Tamil Nadu. He said not many opposed the decision. Many exit polls also suggested that the DMK was sure to win. N Ram of The Hindu was very vehement in his assertion that the DMK was going to win handsomely. Congress President Mallikharjun Kharge and Congress central leader KC Venugopal also held the same view. The Congress high command had allowed the status quo to continue for the time being.
The Post-Election Realignment and Floor Test
But the moment the results were announced on May 4, Rahul Gandhi called Vijay to congratulate him and also assured him of his party’s support. He did not feel that he has to talk to Stalin, the leader of the coalition of which the Congress was a partner in the just concluded elections. Many political observers felt that Rahul or Kharge should have consulted Stalin as was done by Left party leaders and sought his permission to support Vijay to avoid President’s rule which would be nothing but the BJP rule. Had Sonia been active or if there are leaders like PV Narasimha Rao or Pranab Mukharjee in important positions in the party, they would have definitely suggested that way. Mallikharjun Kharge could have advised Rahul that it would be better to discuss with Stalin. But he and Venugopal have endorsed Rahul’s line. Rahul did not factor the stability of INDIA coalition. He is known for his emotional decisions. The damage is done.
By supporting the TVK government and encouraging the Left parties also to join the Congress in supporting Vijay, the Congress had gained in more than one way. It is joining the ministry after about six decades. It will have opportunity to contest coming Lok Sabha polls in partnership with Vijay. It can enlarge its support base in partnership with TVK.
As far as Vijay is concerned, he can play a national role as a partner of secular and democratic party like the Congress. As he is lacking in experience, he can benefit from advice of the Congress leaders. He has shown that kind of temperament by withdrawing the orders appointing his astrologer friend as Officer on Special Duty (OSD). The appointment was openly criticised by the Congress and the Left parties. Vijay has spontaneously reacted and took the right decision in withdrawing the orders.
The Fallouts for DMK and AIADMK
The DMK reportedly tried to form a coalition government with the AIADMK or toyed with the idea of supporting the AIADMK government from outside. That could not be done. Because of that move, there is a rebellion in the AIADMK against its leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Twenty-five newly elected AIADMK MLAs have voted for TVK government in the Assembly on Wednesday. DMK members walked out of the Assembly and the loyal members of the AIADMK had voted against the motion moved by Vijay. The new government won the crucial trust vote by getting 144 seats. Stalin has quit the INDIA alliance and his sister Kanimozhi wrote to the Speaker of Lok Sabha asking him to allot separate seats. They have decided not to sit with the Congress. The DMK might end up allying with the NDA government at the centre by offering issue-based support.
Rahul has helped Vijay to change the Tamil Nadu political scene which was dominated by Dravidian parties for 59 years. It would be interesting to watch the moves of Stalin and Palaniswami in future.
Prominent Journalist
Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy is a versatile journalist with a distinguished career. Dr. Murthy began his extensive career with Andhra Prabha of The Indian Express group in Bengaluru. He was editor of Udayam, Vaartha and Andhra Jyothy. Dr. Murthy founded and edited HMTV news channel and The Hans India, an English newspaper. He was also editorial director of the Telugu newspaper, Saakshi. He was awarded Ph. D for his research work in rural reporting. Dr. Murthy’s five decades in journalism showcases his influential roles across both print and electronic media. He wrote the political biography of NTR published by Harper Collins.
