Congress Exits DMK Alliance Over Concerns of AIADMK Collaboration

The Congress party has formally detached itself from its alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, amid concerns regarding a potential collaboration between the DMK and its historical rival, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Manickam Tagore, a Member of Parliament representing the Virudhunagar constituency, articulated these concerns in a recent social media post. He expressed that the rapid rapprochement of the two parties, traditionally adversaries, is driven by self-interest rather than the welfare of the state.

Tagore asserted that the DMK and the AIADMK's unity is not aimed at fostering a stable government or promoting secularism in Tamil Nadu. Instead, he claimed it is a strategic move to hinder the political ambitions of C. Joseph Vijay, the founder of the Tamil Nadu-based party, TVK.

In his post, Tagore described the coalition as a politically motivated shift to retain power rather than a genuine effort for governance. He went on to state that the DMK’s claim to be a secular entity is undermined by its partnership with the AIADMK, which he referred to as “the B Team” of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress MP stated that the decision to part ways with the DMK alliance was justified given the circumstances. He posed provocative questions regarding the DMK’s integrity and its previous allegations against Congress, suggesting that it is the DMK that has betrayed its principles. Tagore's statements reflect broader political tensions in Tamil Nadu as parties manoeuvre for positioning in the lead-up to the 2026 state elections.