TVK joins Chennai CEC removal protest as Congress-DMK rift widens
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's TVK stepped into a Congress-led protest demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal on 15 October — its first such political act since joining the INDIA Bloc on 3 October. The move is less about the Election Commission and more about Tamil Nadu's fast-shifting opposition map: as Congress bleeds allies with the DMK, it is rapidly building a new axis around Vijay.
Key Takeaways
TVK , led by Tamil Nadu CM Vijay , joined the Protect Democracy protest in Chennai on 15 October 2026 — its first participation in such a campaign since joining the INDIA Bloc on 3 October 2026 .
School Education Minister A.
Rajmohan represented TVK at the agitation, which demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
The demonstration was organised by Congress MP B.
Manickam Tagore and the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee .
The DMK has stayed away from Congress-led protests and has accused its former ally of betrayal, deepening the Congress-DMK rift .
TVK's full formal entry into the INDIA Bloc at the national level reportedly requires consent from Bloc leaders.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, joined an opposition demonstration in Chennai on Thursday, 15 October 2026, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar — marking the party's first participation in such an agitation since formally entering the INDIA Bloc on 3 October 2026.
School Education Minister and TVK leader A. Rajmohan represented the party at the protest, which drew Congress leaders and allies rallying against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
What the Protest Demanded
The demonstration, branded the Protect Democracy agitation, was organised by Congress MP B. Manickam Tagore and the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC). It sought to intensify pressure on the Election Commission of India (ECI) amid continuing opposition protests nationally over alleged discrepancies in voter rolls.
Congress MP Vijay Vasanth demanded Kumar's resignation, alleging that the commission was functioning in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that its conduct had undermined democratic principles. He also alleged that the Union government had failed to respond to public concerns.
Who Attended the Agitation
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko were among the prominent leaders present. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) chief K.M. Kader Mohideen, CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam, CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian, and CPI(ML) state secretary Pala Asaithamby also participated. All India Congress Committee (AICC) Tamil Nadu in-charge Nivedit Alva was among the Congress functionaries present.
VCK leader SS Balaji expressed confidence that the campaign would uphold democracy and secure justice for voters.
TVK's Entry and Its Political Significance
TVK's presence at the protest carried added political weight for Congress, which is actively seeking to deepen its partnership with Vijay's party. Balaji indicated that TVK's formal admission into the INDIA Bloc at the national level would require the consent of Bloc leaders, while acknowledging its existing participation in the Tamil Nadu alliance.
Notably, this is the first time TVK has joined a Congress-led electoral integrity campaign — a signal, analysts note, of the rapidly shifting opposition arithmetic in Tamil Nadu.
The Congress-DMK Rift Backdrop
The demonstration unfolded against the backdrop of an increasingly public dispute between Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The DMK has stayed away from Congress-led agitations and has accused its former partner of betrayal. TVK's participation highlighted the changing political equations within Tamil Nadu's opposition alliance: Congress is drawing closer to Vijay's party precisely as its relationship with the DMK becomes more strained.
As Congress recalibrates its southern alliances ahead of future electoral contests, TVK's next steps — particularly its formal INDIA Bloc status — will be closely watched across the political spectrum.
Point of View
While the DMK commands deep organisational roots. Trading one for the other is a significant gamble. TVK's hedge — conditioning its national INDIA Bloc membership on bloc-wide consent — also suggests Vijay's party is not yet ready to fully burn bridges with any side.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did TVK join the Chennai protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
TVK joined the Congress-led Protect Democracy protest in Chennai on 15 October 2026 to demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. It was the party's first participation in such a campaign since formally entering the INDIA Bloc on 3 October 2026.
What is the Congress-DMK rift about?
The DMK has publicly distanced itself from Congress-led agitations and accused Congress of betrayal, signalling a deteriorating alliance between the two parties in Tamil Nadu. The rift has given Congress an incentive to deepen ties with TVK as an alternative partner.
Has TVK formally joined the INDIA Bloc?
TVK joined the INDIA Bloc on 3 October 2026 at the Tamil Nadu alliance level. However, its formal admission at the national INDIA Bloc level reportedly requires the consent of Bloc leaders, according to VCK leader SS Balaji.
Who else participated in the Protect Democracy protest in Chennai?
Prominent attendees included VCK president and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, IUML chief K.M. Kader Mohideen, CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam, CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian, CPI(ML) state secretary Pala Asaithamby, and AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Nivedit Alva.
What allegations has Congress made against the Election Commission?
Congress MP Vijay Vasanth alleged that the Election Commission was functioning in favour of the BJP and that its conduct had undermined democratic principles. He also alleged that the Union government had failed to address public concerns over discrepancies in voter rolls.
