Politics – Mani Shankar Aiyar Criticises Congress Alliance Shift in Tamil Nadu
Politics – Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has sharply criticised his party’s decision to support actor-politician Vijay’s TVK in Tamil Nadu, calling the move politically risky and morally troubling. The senior Congress figure argued that the sudden realignment after years of cooperation with the DMK reflected short-term political thinking rather than ideological commitment.
Aiyar Raises Concerns Over Sudden Political Realignment
Speaking on Friday, Aiyar described the Congress decision as a serious mistake and said the alliance switch appeared to be driven by political convenience. According to him, the Congress had contested the recent Assembly election alongside the DMK and should not have abandoned a long-standing ally immediately after the results.
The veteran leader said such a move contradicted the moral principles associated with Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress tradition. He questioned whether the party was now following practical power politics instead of the values it once publicly defended.
Aiyar also pointed to the electoral performance in constituencies where the Congress and DMK alliance had faced opposition from TVK candidates. He argued that the election outcome in many areas clearly favoured the DMK-led alliance rather than the newly emerging political force.
Questions Over Political Ethics
In his remarks, Aiyar expressed disappointment over what he called a departure from ethical politics. He said Congress had historically benefited from the support and organisational strength of the DMK in Tamil Nadu and should have remained loyal during a difficult political period.
Referring to his own long association with Mayiladuturai, Aiyar noted that the constituency had strongly backed the alliance led by the DMK. He stated that voters in several Assembly segments had rejected TVK candidates in favour of alliance nominees.
Although he acknowledged that Vijay’s TVK had attracted significant public support and represented a secular political platform within the broader Dravidian space, Aiyar maintained that abruptly ending ties with the DMK damaged the credibility of the Congress.
Fear of BJP Gaining Indirect Advantage
One of Aiyar’s strongest concerns involved the possible political consequences of the new arrangement. He warned that weakening the traditional Dravidian alliance structure could indirectly create space for the BJP in Tamil Nadu politics.
According to Aiyar, if the Congress move eventually helped the BJP gain influence in the state through indirect political developments, it would become a historic strategic failure. He said Tamil Nadu’s political identity had long been shaped by Dravidian ideology and secular values, and any shift that disturbed this balance should be approached carefully.
He further argued that political decisions should not focus only on immediate gains but must also consider long-term consequences for both the party and the state.
Congress-TVK Partnership Creates New Political Equation
The controversy emerged after the Congress officially announced support for Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to form the next government in Tamil Nadu. The move also marked the end of the Congress party’s long-standing partnership with the DMK.
Congress leaders stated that the party would participate in the proposed administration led by TVK and share governance responsibilities. The development has significantly changed the political landscape in the state ahead of future elections.
The DMK strongly criticised the Congress decision and described it as an act of betrayal. Party leaders accused Congress of abandoning an alliance partner despite years of cooperation within national opposition politics.
TVK Still Short of Majority Mark
TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly during the April 23 election. Although the Congress, with five legislators, has offered support, the Vijay-led party still remains short of the 118 seats required for a simple majority in the Assembly.
Political observers believe the coming weeks could be crucial as TVK attempts to gather additional support to strengthen its position. The evolving alliance dynamics are expected to influence the direction of Tamil Nadu politics in the years ahead.