Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday clarified that the Congress party had informed its ally DMK before extending support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). This statement comes in response to allegations from DMK that the Congress betrayed the alliance by backing the TVK.
Chidambaram's clarification
Speaking to reporters, Chidambaram said, "The Congress party has always maintained transparency with its allies. We informed the DMK leadership about our decision to support TVK in the interest of secularism and social justice." He emphasized that the Congress values its alliance with the DMK and that the decision was not taken unilaterally.
DMK's allegations
Earlier, senior DMK leader TR Baalu accused the Congress of betraying the people who voted for the alliance. "The Congress has stabbed us in the back by supporting the TVK, which is a rival in Tamil Nadu politics," Baalu said. He added that the DMK would reconsider its ties with the Congress if such actions continued.
The TVK, founded by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has been gaining traction in Tamil Nadu. The Congress's decision to back TVK is seen as a strategic move to counter the growing influence of the BJP and the DMK in the state.
Political implications
Political analysts believe that this development could strain the relationship between the Congress and the DMK, both of which are part of the opposition INDIA bloc. However, Chidambaram's clarification suggests that the Congress is keen on maintaining the alliance while also expanding its political footprint.
The DMK has not yet officially responded to Chidambaram's statement. The coming days are likely to witness further discussions between the two parties to resolve the issue.
