‎New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) The Congress on Tuesday indicated that it is considering extending support to actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), to form a government in Tamil Nadu, with the final decision to be taken by the party state unit. ‎
In a post on X, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said Vijay had formally approached the party seeking its backing to form the government.
“TVK President Thiru Vijay has requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu. He has spoken about drawing inspiration from Perumthalaivar K. Kamaraj as well, in his political mission,” Venugopal said. ‎
He added that the Congress views the electoral verdict in Tamil Nadu as a mandate for a secular government committed to upholding constitutional values.
“The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to have the BJP and its proxies run the Government of Tamil Nadu in any manner,” he said. ‎
Venugopal said the party leadership has asked the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) to take a final decision on the request after assessing the ground situation.
“Accordingly, the Congress leadership has directed the TNCC to take a final decision on Thiru Vijay's request, keeping in view the sentiments of the state reflected in the electoral verdict,” he added. ‎
The development comes amid a fluid political situation in Tamil Nadu following the Assembly election results, with parties exploring alliances to secure a majority and form the next government.
According to the Election Commission of India, TVK's tally of seats stands at 108, in the 234-seat TN assembly. The Congress has got five seats. To form government, a party or alliance will need 118 seats.
The Congress has traditionally been a key player in alliance politics in the state, often aligning with regional parties to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party’s influence. ‎
Vijay’s political outreach and his invocation of Kamaraj, a revered Congress leader and former Chief Minister, is seen as an attempt to position his party within a broader secular and regional political framework as negotiations intensify over government formation in the state.
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