Congress Backs Vijay's TVK, Expects 2 Positions In His Cabinet: Sources

Congress has decided to back actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), following the new party's massive win in the assembly election that jolted the southern state's politics by breaking the DMK and AIADMK's traditional duopoly.

Confirming the decision to NDTV, Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil said, "Yes, the Political Affairs Committee has authorised the TNCC to support TVK in government formation."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was clearly in favor of supporting TVK, but Congress President Kharge wanted the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee to make this decision instead of the Delhi leaders, sources said. A late-night virtual meeting of the Congress Political Affairs Committee authorised the Tamil Nadu unit to back TVK's government formation.

According to sources, Congress is expecting two ministerial positions in Vijay's government. Congress leaders Girish Chodankar and Praveen Chakraborty are in contact with TVK leaders, they added. However, the party had placed a key precondition - TVK must not align with the NDA or its allies, including the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

A formal letter of support is expected to be submitted to the Tamil Nadu Governor, paving the way for Vijay to be sworn in as Chief Minister as early as tomorrow.

Congress' move marks a significant political rupture. The Congress-DMK alliance, which dominated the state's electoral landscape, has now collapsed. Together, they swept the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, winning 38 of 39 seats, and went on to secure all 39 seats in 2024. The alliance, which originally existed from 2004 to 2013 before breaking over the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, was revived in 2016 and lasted until now.

Reacting sharply, DMK spokesperson A Saravanan termed the Congress move "backstabbing," arguing that the party would not have won its five seats without DMK's support.

For Congress, this also signals a return to power-sharing in Tamil Nadu after decades, in a state it once ruled independently.

With 108 seats in hand out of the 234-member Assembly, TVK was just 10 short of a majority. Now with Congress' backing, the party has a majority of 113 seats. TVK insiders had told NDTV that they are counting on backing from other key DMK allies - CPI (two seats), CPM (two seats), and VCK (two seats).

Earlier, Congress had said that the TVK chief had sought the Congress's support to form a new government in Tamil Nadu. "The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government, committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to allow the BJP and its proxies to run the government of Tamil Nadu in any manner. Thiru Vijay has also spoken about drawing inspiration from Perunthalaivar Kamaraj," it had said.

TVK President Thiru Vijay has requested the Indian National Congress' (INC) support to form a government in Tamil Nadu.

The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government, committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit.

The INC is… pic.twitter.com/f6fhCDZGFs

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 5, 2026

Vijay has to officially stake a claim to form the government. Only after that can he take the oath.

Vijay also posted his first post-victory statement on X this evening, thanking supporters for overcoming great odds to reach where the TVK is today.

"... Many spoke against us after we started the party. We overcame it all. We stood alone, trusting the people. Insults disguised as neutrality and criticism came our way. But those for whom we came into politics to pay our debt of gratitude - our own people, our Tamil Nadu, have always supported us like a mother and are continuing to do so," Vijay said in the long post in Tamil on X.

Vijay said the TVK's superb performance is not a win only for the party, but a victory of democracy as well.

"... I offer my lifelong gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu, who have achieved a political victory that was never expected to happen. My heartfelt gratitude goes to each and every one of you, all levels of administrators, and virtual warriors," Vijay said.