NEW DELHI: The Congress is lastly in motion mode in Tamil Nadu. After a weekend brainstorming with occasion chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi within the nationwide capital, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee has convened an important Government Committee assembly tomorrow to deal with preparations for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu meeting elections. However the vital query is: Has the Congress finalised its path within the state? Will the grand-old occasion proceed with its long-term ally the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which has refused to share energy if the alliance wins the upcoming meeting elections? Or will the Congress discover the potential of a brand new coalition within the state by becoming a member of arms with actor-politician Vijay’s TVK?The Congress-DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu faces one in every of its hardest challenges from inside. In accordance with experiences, the Congress management has requested the state unit leaders to keep up alliance self-discipline and keep away from confrontational political posturing in opposition to the long-standing and “trusted” ally. The directive on the significance of unity comes amid some very sturdy remarks made by a bit of the state Congress after DMK rejected the concept of a coalition authorities.Congress MP Manickam Tagore was the primary to drift the concept of energy sharing when he mentioned that point had come to debate sharing of energy within the state with DMK. When the DMK mentioned “no” to this, the Congress chief took potshots on the regional ally and in addition accused it of intolerance in direction of coalition companions.“We don’t say ‘bye-bye’ to allies after elections,” Manickam Tagore mentioned in a hard-hitting social media put up. The Congress chief cited the instance of United Democratic Entrance (UDF), the Congress-led coalition in Kerala, to high school the DMK on “coalition dharma.” In a collection of Pongal messages, Tagore contrasted what he described because the DMK’s “centralised mindset” with the inclusive and consultative UDF mannequin practised in Kerala. “No betrayal after elections, no breaking alliances after counting votes. That’s the UDF distinction,” he mentioned, describing it as “coalition dharma in motion”.Tagore mentioned Kerala UDF provides a hopeful template for coalition politics, the place the Congress leads with out monopolising authority. Energy, he careworn, is shared fairly than concentrated.The DMK is but to react to this raised pitch by the Congress, which has until now performed second fiddle to its regional ally. Even in 2006 when the DMK had fallen wanting majority profitable 96 seats, the Congress with 34 elected members supported DMK’s minority authorities with out becoming a member of it. The Congress’s electoral fortunes in Tamil Nadu have been intertwined with the DMK because the two events got here collectively. At any time when the DMK has performed properly, the Congress has additionally gained, and vice versa. The grand-old occasion has seen a gentle decline in its vote share within the state from 9.3% in 2011 to 4.27% within the 2021 meeting elections. So, has the time come for the Congress to rethink its Tamil Nadu technique? Listed here are the professionals and cons of the grand-old occasion contemplating a political realignment within the state.PROS
- The Congress has been on the profitable facet in Tamil Nadu a number of instances, however has not been part of the DMK authorities. If the Congress dumps DMK and manages to affix a profitable mixture, it might get an opportunity to be a part of the state authorities.
- The DMK has typically been accused of being anti-Hindu and anti-north – with a few of its leaders making remarks that typically run into controversy. Whereas it helps the DMK in Tamil Nadu, the Congress, being a nationwide ally, is left dealing with the results of those remarks in different elements, the place it has excessive electoral stakes.
- For years, Congress was the one nationwide occasion with an affordable presence in Tamil Nadu. Nonetheless, that’s altering quick. The BJP is working aggressively to realize floor within the state. The Congress must take steps to forestall itself from being swept out of the state politics by the BJP as has occurred in a number of different states.
- The DMK which is preventing for a second consecutive time period may face anti-incumbency. A number of DMK leaders additionally face corruption fees. These may also impression the Congress adversely despite the fact that it’s not a part of the federal government and has no say in issues of coverage or governance.
- The emergence of Vijay’s TVK offers the Congress an choice to discover political realignment within the state. The TVK, which is leaving no stone unturned for a debut victory, has already referred to as the Congress a “pure ally.” Actor Vijay’s recognition and his large rallies have already compelled the present gamers to pay attention to his political march.
CONS
- The Congress alliance with the DMK is steady and time-tested. Congress has gained politically from this alliance profitable seats in each meeting and Lok Sabha elections. The 2 events have labored collectively for a very long time ironing out variations. If Congress dumps the alliance, it might transform a expensive gamble.
- The DMK has been an important and dependable India-bloc ally for the Congress. With the state sending 39 members to Lok Sabha, Congress has gained from the DMK’s numbers in its nationwide politics. Within the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the DMK received 22 seats.
- The Congress lacks the sort of cadre assist and organisational power wanted to pursue unbiased politics in Tamil Nadu. Its vote share within the state has been on the decline in meeting elections.
- Vijay the actor could also be very fashionable, however Vijay the politician stays an untested novice. Large crowds in rallies might not translate into votes when Tamil Nadu goes to polls to elect a brand new meeting in some months. If Vijay fails, like Prashant Kishor did in Bihar, Congress will find yourself shedding a steady long-term ally with none political features. Since AIADMK is already tied up with the BJP, the Congress could also be pushed to oblivion.
For the Congress management, any resolution on DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu shall be difficult. Whereas on the one hand, it will likely be tempted to experiment with Vijay’s TVK for larger political features, on the opposite, it might be cautious of its resolution turning right into a expensive gamble.
