Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday congratulated Tamil Nadu leader and actor Vijay on the huge victory his party Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) won in its maiden contest in the southern state. Gandhi said Tamil Nadu’s preference for Vijay’s party was a reflection of the “rising youth voice”.
“I spoke to Thiru Vijay and congratulated him on TVK’s amazing result. This mandate reflects the rising voice of youth who cannot and will not be ignored,” Gandhi said in a tweet, while also thanking Congress workers for their campaign in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Follow live updates about the election here.
“I reiterate that the Congress Party will continue to protect and serve the people of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry,” he concluded.
Alliance uproar in Tamil Nadu
Rahul Gandhi’s congratulatory message to Vijay comes amid speculation about a possible alliance that TVK will form, given the party’s failure to cross the majority mark despite winning over 100 seats.
While Vijay won the Tiruchirappalli (East) and Perambur seats, his party won 108 seats in total, 10 seats short of the required 118 majority mark in the 234-seat Tamil Nadu Assembly. The party contested the polls alone, fighting the Congress and the TDP in an alliance. However, the two parties could only get 64 seats in total, of which only five were in the Congress group.
now, There are several options for Vijay Who is seen by many as a potential chief minister if his party forms a government in the state. TVK can either ally with smaller parties with DMK to switch allegiances, or DMK+ can join together with TVK. Another possible option could be for the opposition AIADMK to support TVK in forming the government.
Was Congress planning to ditch the DMK for Vijay?
As stated in Previous HT reportplans were in the works for the Congress to drop the DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu and support TVK instead. Hizb ut-Tahrir has confirmed with at least three key people in Congress that they have seriously considered getting rid of their old allies.
“It is true that the TVK was in touch with us till the last minute and offered 75 seats. This issue divided the party and in the end, it was a collective decision to stay with the DMK,” said a Congress MP who requested anonymity.
It remains to be seen whether the TVK, which has enjoyed great success in its stunning political debut in Tamil Nadu, will still be willing to join forces with the Congress.
