Congress–TVK Alliance Talks Put DMK Under Tremendous Pressure in Tamil Nadu

The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is witnessing a quiet but powerful churn. With reports suggesting that the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, is showing keen interest in aligning with TVKfounder and actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay, the ruling DMK finds itself under mounting pressure for the first time since coming to power in 2021.

The possibility of a Congress–TVK alliance has set off intense speculation within political circles. Sources close to both parties suggest that Rahul Gandhi’s long-standing personal rapport with Vijay could play a decisive role in shaping this new front. A tie-up with TVK would allow the Congress to reposition itself in Tamil Nadu’s politics — not merely as a secondary partner to DMK, but as a co-driving force in a fresh, youth-driven alliance.

Some senior Congress leaders are reportedly of the view that joining hands with TVK could bring tangible political dividends — better seat-sharing arrangements, more equitable power-sharing prospects, and, above all, a new narrative that resonates with the state’s younger electorate. In contrast, remaining tethered to DMK, they argue, risks keeping the Congress in a perpetually subordinate role with diminishing influence.

For the DMK, this emerging scenario is far from comfortable. The party has long relied on the Congress to consolidate anti-BJP votes at the national level, while retaining dominance in state politics. A Congress exit — or even the perception of one — could fracture the ruling coalition’s voter base and open the door for a new power balance in Tamil Nadu.

That said, it is still too early to draw firm conclusions. Political equations in Tamil Nadu are notoriously fluid, and both the DMK and Congress have weathered such tests before. Yet, the very discussion of a potential Congress–TVK pact is enough to unsettle the ruling establishment.

As political observers put it, “Anything can happen.” One thing, however, is certain — Tamil Nadu is heading into one of its most unpredictable and dynamic political phases in recent years.