The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is reportedly considering an unprecedented move, offering outside support to its arch-rival, the AIADMK, to prevent actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from taking power.
According to reports from NDTV, the DMK leadership is weighing the strategy to block the TVK, which emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats but remains 10 short of the majority mark.
A Fractured Mandate and New Alliances
The move comes as the state grapples with a deeply fractured mandate. As the TVK actively scouts for allies to bridge the gap, the AIADMK is reportedly distancing itself from its previous ties with the NDA. This pivot has opened the door for a potential Dravidian Front configuration that could include support from the DMK, VCK, and the Left parties, as per media reports.
The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has fractured further as the Congress party launched a scathing attack on its former ally, the DMK, accusing it of a "betrayal of mandate" by aligning with its lifelong rival, the AIADMK.
'Enemies Overnight': Congress Alleges Power Play
Following the Congress party's exit from the DMK-led alliance, Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore claimed the move was a direct response to the DMK's hidden agenda. “The two Dravidian parties who are lifetime enemies have joined together overnight,” he said, adding, “Their claim of forming a stable government is only political language to protect their power.”
The Congress leadership maintains that they "saw through the design" of the DMK's plan to offer outside support to the AIADMK, leading to the collapse of their long-standing partnership, as per The Hindu.
Statewide Protests Against the Governor
As the DMK and AIADMK explore a potential arrangement, Congress cadres have taken to the streets to protest against Governor Rajendra Arlekar. The demonstrations erupted after the Governor rejected TVK chief Vijay's initial claim to form the government.
Despite TVK being the single-largest party, the Raj Bhavan has mandated that Vijay must return only after securing the formal support of 118 MLAs. Congress supporters, joined by various activists, have labeled this a delay tactic that favours the established parties over the electoral frontrunner.
The parties will be present at the Raj Bhavan on the May 10 deadline, where Governor Rajendra Arlekar holds the key to Tamil Nadu's political future. The central question remains whether the governor will accept the emerging unconventional arrangement.
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