Congress defends TVK support, cites Tamil Nadu's secular fabric
Synopsis
After Tamil Nadu Assembly election results, Congress is under fire for backing TVK — the Vijay-led party. CLP leader S. Rajeshkumar says the decision was purely about preserving Tamil Nadu's secular fabric and keeping communal forces out, invoking Kamaraj's legacy as TVK's ideological anchor.
Key Takeaways
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader S.
Rajeshkumar defended the party's decision to support TVK on 7 May .
Congress stated the move was aimed at safeguarding Tamil Nadu's secular character and blocking communal forces.
Rajeshkumar rejected allegations of political opportunism, saying the party was not motivated by desire for positions.
Joseph Vijay has publicly cited former Chief Minister K.
Kamaraj as his ideological inspiration.
Congress said it remained aligned with secular forces under the INDIA bloc and opposed to the RSS and communal politics.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and MLA S. Rajeshkumar on Thursday, 7 May defended the Indian National Congress's decision to extend support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) following the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results, asserting the move was taken solely to safeguard the state's secular character and prevent communal forces from gaining political ground. The statement came amid mounting criticism from rival political groups who questioned the Congress's rationale.
Why Congress Backed TVK
Rajeshkumar rejected allegations that the Congress had compromised its principles or was motivated by a desire for political positions. He said certain groups were deliberately attempting to portray the decision as a betrayal of the people's mandate, but maintained that the party's stand was guided entirely by the larger interests of Tamil Nadu and the need to preserve social harmony.
Point of View
But Congress's dwindling electoral footprint in the state means it is, in effect, a junior partner seeking relevance through association with a newer force. The real test will be whether this alignment holds through governance — or fractures along the usual fault lines of seat-sharing and ministerial ambition.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Congress extend support to TVK in Tamil Nadu?
Congress said it extended support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to safeguard Tamil Nadu's secular character and prevent communal forces from gaining political influence after the Assembly election results. CLP leader S. Rajeshkumar stated the decision was guided by the larger interests of Tamil Nadu and not by political opportunism.
Who is S. Rajeshkumar and why is he significant here?
S. Rajeshkumar is the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and MLA in Tamil Nadu. He issued the formal defence of Congress's decision to back TVK, making him the party's primary spokesperson on this politically sensitive alliance.
What is Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)?
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is a political party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay. The party has projected itself as a secular movement, with Vijay publicly citing former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj as his ideological inspiration and pledging commitment to social justice values.
What criticism did Congress face over the TVK support decision?
Rival political groups alleged that Congress had compromised its principles and acted out of a desire for political positions, portraying the decision as a betrayal of the people's mandate. Congress rejected these allegations, maintaining the move was ideologically driven.
How does this fit into Congress's broader political stance in Tamil Nadu?
Congress said it had received multiple political invitations even before the Assembly election announcement but chose to remain aligned with secular forces under the INDIA bloc. The party reiterated its ideological opposition to the RSS and communal politics, framing the TVK support as consistent with that position.
