DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai called the Indian National Congress "backstabbers" on X after the party signaled potential support for TVK chief Vijay [1, 2].
The friction threatens to dismantle one of the most enduring political partnerships in Tamil Nadu. If the alliance fractures, it could fundamentally alter the state's electoral landscape and the distribution of power between established parties and new political entrants [3].
The dispute began Tuesday, June 4, when the Congress party announced it was in discussions with Vijay, a popular actor who recently entered politics through the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) [1, 2]. A Congress spokesperson said the party is open to supporting a stable government in Tamil Nadu [2]. Other reports indicate that TVK had approached the Congress to seek support for forming a government [1].
Annadurai responded to the announcement with a two-word post describing the Congress leadership as "The Backstabbers" [1]. The DMK said the overture toward Vijay was a betrayal of their existing agreement [1, 2]. While some observers describe the move as a tactical ploy, others see it as a shock decision that signals a genuine shift in strategy [1, 3].
This political volatility comes as parties vie for critical voting blocs in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. Minority voters remain a key target, with Christians and Muslims together making up about 15% of the electorate [4]. The entry of Vijay into the political arena has already sparked debates regarding the potential split of these minority votes [4].
The DMK and Congress have historically maintained a close relationship to counter opposition forces. However, the willingness of the Congress to entertain a partnership with a newcomer like Vijay suggests a possible pivot away from its reliance on the DMK to maintain influence in the region [1, 2].
“"The Backstabbers"”
The tension between the DMK and Congress reflects a broader instability in Tamil Nadu's traditional coalition politics. By flirting with TVK Vijay, the Congress is testing whether a new, celebrity-led political force can provide a more viable path to power than its current alliance. This shift could force the DMK to seek new partners or aggressively consolidate its own base to prevent a fragmented mandate in the 2026 elections.
