The Congress has extended support to Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for government formation in Tamil Nadu, withdrawing its alliance with the DMK following the state's legislative assembly elections. Party leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, conditionally backed the TVK, demanding it keep out 'communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution.' The alliance will also apply to future elections, including Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha polls.

Congress leaders, citing public mandate, justified the shift after the TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling short of a majority. With the Congress's five MLAs, the TVK can cross the 113-seat threshold. Sources confirm the party expects two ministerial positions in the incoming government, and Rahul Gandhi is likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Prior to the election, Congress had negotiated with the DMK for 40 seats and government roles but was offered only 28 and one Rajya Sabha seat. In contrast, the TVK offered the Congress around 60 seats, prompting internal deliberations. Despite initial reluctance from Kharge, the leadership ratified the TVK alliance in an emergency meeting of Tamil Nadu Congress leaders convened in Chennai.

The DMK has condemned the Congress move as a betrayal, highlighting its role as a key opposition bloc in Parliament. The Congress, however, emphasized its national stance against communalism and said its decision reflects electoral reality. The party sought to manage fallout by making the announcement in Chennai, not Delhi.

The Tamil Nadu Governor has yet to confirm if the TVK has a majority, and no swearing-in date has been officially announced. The Congress leadership will review alliance implementation after the government is formed, with internal assessments expected next week.