The Congress has aligned with actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government in Tamil Nadu, a move that has triggered a sharp rebuke from its former ally, the DMK. TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling 10 short of a majority, while Congress secured five seats as part of the DMK-led alliance but has now shifted support to TVK.

DMK Treasurer T.R. Baalu accused the Congress of opportunism, stating the party had benefited from DMK's unwavering support during past crises. He called the decision a 'blatant act of betrayal' against voters who backed the DMK-led coalition, and compared Congress's actions to the BJP's power-grabbing tactics in other states. The DMK emphasized that while defeat and betrayal are not unfamiliar, they are not permanent.

Congress's support gives the TVK-led alliance 113 seats. The alliance is in talks with the VCK (2 seats) and Left parties (4 seats), whose backing would push the total to 119, securing a functional majority. TVK is expected to submit its claim to form the government once formal support is confirmed.

The Tamil Nadu Governor has called for a floor test to verify the new alliance's majority, to be conducted within the coming week. The DMK has reserved its position but will oppose the formation of a government it calls illegitimate.