Congress Warms Up to Vijay’s TVK Amid Seat-Sharing Talks with DMK for 2026 Tamil Nadu Elections

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu congress appears to be softening its stance toward actor Vijay’s Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (TVK) as the 2026 Assembly Elections draw closer, with senior Congress leaders reportedly lobbying the high command to explore a potential understanding with the rising political force.

According to insiders, the Congress sees strategic value in Vijay’s growing popularity—not only in Tamil Nadu but also in neighboring regions such as Kerala and Puducherry. Party leaders believe an early outreach to TVK could strengthen Congress’s position during seat-sharing talks with the DMK.

However, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is said to have noticed the Congress’s increasing warmth toward TVK, triggering quiet unease within the alliance.

DMK Takes Note of Congress–TVK Closeness

Reports indicate that the Congress–TVK bonhomie has not gone unnoticed. At a recent event, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin made a subtle reference to the “hand leaving,” in what many interpreted as a light-hearted jab at Congress’s symbol and its rumored flirtation with Vijay’s outfit.

Within the ongoing seat-sharing discussions, the DMK is believed to have offered Congress a few constituencies that were previously held by the AIADMK. However, Congress insiders claim the party is seeking a larger share of seats in 2026 compared to the previous election, citing a desire to expand its footprint.

High Command to Decide on Final Alliance Formula

Senior Congress figures clarified that the final decisions regarding alliances and seat distribution would rest solely with the party’s national leadership in New Delhi. “The state unit may make recommendations, but the AICC will decide the strategy,” a leader said.

In recent months, Congress leaders such as Manickam Tagore have also praised Vijay’s political debut, calling him a “strong voice” against the BJP and RSS narrative in Tamil Nadu. Tagore remarked that the Congress recognizes “anyone who stands against communal forces” as a potential ally.

Tagore Hints at Flexibility, But Stops Short of Confirmation

Speaking to reporters earlier, Manickam Tagore expressed optimism about the 2026 Assembly polls and acknowledged that seat-sharing negotiations with allies were “routine” in coalition politics. He also accused the BJP of engaging in “vote chori” through voter deletions and the State Information Regulation (SIR) process, praising Vijay’s open opposition to both SIR and delimitation.

Although Tagore insisted it was “too early” to talk of a formal alliance with TVK, he notably did not rule out the possibility entirely—a statement that has fueled further speculation about the evolving political equations in Tamil Nadu.

DMK’s Balancing Act Ahead of 2026

With the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections on the horizon, the DMK-led alliance faces the challenge of balancing coalition harmony with the ambitions of its allies. As Congress eyes a larger role and Vijay’s TVK gains traction among young voters, the coming months are expected to test the stability and flexibility of the ruling coalition.