The Congress party will join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly elections [1, 2].
This alliance marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, ending a decades-long period where the party remained outside the ruling administration. By partnering with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the TVK, Congress aims to regain a foothold in a region where it has struggled to maintain executive influence.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar announced the decision on April 30, 2026 [1, 2]. He said the party had accepted an offer from the TVK to enter the government. While the partnership is confirmed, the exact number of cabinet berths for Congress members has not yet been finalized [1].
"We have already received the offer from TVK. We have accepted the offer to be part of the government after nearly 60 years," Chodankar said [1].
The decision follows a challenging electoral cycle for the party. Congress contested 28 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and won five [1]. In contrast, the TVK secured a dominant position, winning more than 100 seats [5].
Chodankar said the party could no longer remain a neutral player in the state [2]. He said the move is intended to help form a stable administration and return the party to power [2, 3].
The timeline of the party's absence from power in Tamil Nadu varies by source, with reports indicating the party has been out of government for between 55 [4] and nearly 60 years [1].
“"Congress can no longer remain a neutral player in TN."”
The decision for Congress to join a TVK-led government reflects a strategic pivot toward coalition politics to regain executive relevance. With only five seats won compared to the TVK's 100-plus mandate, Congress is acting as a junior partner to ensure a stable administration while ending a period of political isolation in Tamil Nadu that has lasted over half a century.
