Overview
- The rupture followed Congress's post-election decision to quit the DMK-led alliance and extend conditional support to C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, a move that helped Vijay form a government and pass a floor test.
- DMK Youth Wing chief Udhayanidhi Stalin delivered a blistering public attack on Sunday accusing Congress of 'stabbing' the DMK and urging party workers never to trust the national party again.
- Congress leaders issued sharp rebuttals, with MP Manickam Tagore calling Udhayanidhi's remarks unacceptable and alleging that the BJP mediated backchannel talks between the DMK and the AIADMK after results were declared.
- The new government's working majority rests on TVK plus support from Congress, the Left, VCK, IUML and independents, but the public feud has opened questions about opposition unity and the stability of future cooperation in the state.
- The conflict deepens a rupture in a partnership that spanned about two decades and follows an election in which TVK won 108 seats, the DMK 59 and Congress 5, setting up a test of voter mandates and alliance loyalties.