Rahul Gandhi Attends TVK Swearing-In, Signals New Tamil Nadu Alliance

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing-in of C. Joseph Vijay as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in Chennai on Sunday, signaling the formation of a new political alliance following the party's post-poll break with the DMK. Gandhi occupied a prominent seat next to Vijay on stage, positioned as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, underscoring the symbolic and strategic importance of the moment.

Vijay, in his inaugural speech, referred to Gandhi as his "brother," a term previously associated with Gandhi's relationship with DMK president M.K. Stalin. On social media, Vijay thanked Gandhi for attending, stating his support was appreciated as the new government begins its term. The CPI, CPI-M, VCK, and IUML have extended external support to the TVK government but remain aligned with the DMK.

The TVK holds 107 seats in the 17-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after Vijay's resignation from the Tiruchi East seat. The party is now positioned to elect three members to the Rajya Sabha. With the Congress-led United Democratic Front's victory in Kerala, the party's political footprint in southern India has strengthened.

The Congress party is expected to formalize its state-level arrangements with TVK in the coming days. The next legislative session and Rajya Sabha elections will serve as early tests of the alliance’s cohesion and national opposition coordination.