Congress backing TVK is betrayal of Tamil Nadu mandate: DMK

The DMK criticised Congress for supporting Vijay-led TVK in Tamil Nadu, calling the move a betrayal by a long-time ally. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Anadurai questioned the arithmetic behind the support and accused Congress of abandoning the people’s mandate

Chennai: With the Indian National Congress poised to support actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in forming the government in Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Wednesday described the move as a “backstab” by its long-time national ally.

Speaking to PTI Videos, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Anadurai said, “The Congress party has decided to ally with the TVK, pledging its support to the party. I think they have backstabbed… They have backstabbed the people of Tamil Nadu. They’ve backstabbed the mandate given by the people of Tamil Nadu.”

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He said the decision came even before the electoral process had fully concluded.

“Even before the ink on the returning officer’s signature on the victory certificate dried up, they’ve chosen to go ahead with an alliance.”

Referring to the Congress’ decision to extend support to TVK, Anadurai said, “We have supported the Congress through and through. And it is our leader, M K Stalin, who projected Rahul as the prime ministerial candidate.”

Questioning the arithmetic, he said the TVK lacked sufficient numbers to form the government.

“They need at least 11 to 12 MLAs to stay afloat. And Congress has only five MLAs. What difference will they make?” the DMK leader asked.

According to him, the Congress is “self-destructing” for the sake of two berths in the TVK cabinet. He also claimed that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has decided to support the TVK.

“So whose support will the TVK take? Five MLAs or 47 MLAs? I don’t know who takes all these decisions and it is not in the interest of the country,” he said.

Anadurai claimed that Vijay failed to properly thank the voters of his constituency or the state after the results were declared.

“He first thanked Modi,” he alleged.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has created a record of sorts in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu and emerged as the single largest party by handing a shock defeat to the incumbent DMK, while the AIADMK was pushed to a distant third spot.