Akhilesh Yadav took a sharp dig at the Indian National Congress after the party broke ties with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu and extended support to actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in its bid to form the government. In a post on X, the Samajwadi Party chief shared a photograph with Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin and wrote, “We are not the ones who abandon each other in times of difficulty.” The remark was widely seen as an indirect attack on the Congress for shifting support away from the DMK after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections produced a hung verdict. Akhilesh’s comments quickly gained political significance as tensions within the opposition INDIA bloc deepened following the dramatic post-poll realignment in the state. The post also triggered reactions from leaders across alliance parties.
DMK MP Kanimozhi publicly responded to Akhilesh Yadav’s message and thanked him for his “solidarity and support.” The fallout emerged after the Tamil Nadu election results left no party with a clear majority in the 234-member Assembly. Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, falling short of the majority mark but significantly disrupting the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in the state. The Congress, which secured five seats, later decided to support the TVK in its attempt to form the government. The move dramatically altered post-poll political equations and strained Congress relations with the DMK. Political observers described the development as one of the biggest alliance shifts in Tamil Nadu politics in recent years.
The DMK reacted strongly to the Congress decision and declared that the INDIA bloc was effectively finished after the grand old party sided with Vijay’s party. During a key meeting of DMK legislators, the party reportedly passed multiple resolutions criticising the Congress for abandoning its alliance partner after the election. The political confrontation has intensified concerns regarding the future of opposition unity at the national level. The INDIA bloc, which was projected as a coalition against the BJP in national politics, now faces uncertainty due to deepening mistrust among regional allies. Leaders within the DMK reportedly viewed Congress's support for TVK as a betrayal during a politically sensitive moment. The episode has also increased speculation about possible realignments ahead of future national and state elections. The fallout continues to dominate political discussions both in Tamil Nadu and at the national level.
Meanwhile, Vijay’s attempt to form the government in Tamil Nadu has faced constitutional and political hurdles. Rajendra Arlekar reportedly asked the TVK chief to return only after securing support from at least 118 MLAs required for a majority in the Assembly. Vijay had earlier met the Governor at Lok Bhavan to formally stake a claim to form the government after emerging as the single largest party. Constitutional experts and political leaders remain divided on whether the Governor should first invite the single largest party or insist on proof of majority support beforehand. The controversy has reignited debate around gubernatorial discretion, constitutional convention, and the role of floor tests in hung assemblies. As the political deadlock continues, Tamil Nadu remains at the centre of an intense national debate over coalition politics and government formation.
