Don't include AIADMK in govt, it will hurt Vijay's image: Karti Chidambaram to TVK
The Congress Sivaganga MP opposed including AIADMK in Vijay's government, despite rebel MLAs backing the trust vote, saying the current alliance already ensures stability.
Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram has issued a sharp warning against any move to induct the rebel faction of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) into the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister Vijay, saying such a step would weaken the government politically and hurt his public image.
His remarks come at a time when the newly formed administration is settling into office after surviving a trust vote with support from Congress, Left parties, IUML and a breakaway section of AIADMK legislators.
Speaking in strong terms during a media briefing, Karti said there was no need to bring AIADMK into the government despite the faction’s support during the Assembly floor test.
"There is no need to include AIADMK in the government. I am saying this clearly and today as well. Without AIADMK, the government will be able to run smoothly for the next 5 years. If AIADMK is included, it will be a minus," he said.
He argued that the public had voted for a political change that moved away from both AIADMK and DMK, and that the current support arrangement already reflects that sentiment.
"People have said that there is no need to include AIADMK. They have said that it is a changeable government. That is why the people have accepted that they have included Communists, IUML, VCK and Congress. If AIADMK is included in the government, according to me, people will not accept it completely," Karti added.
The Congress leader also reiterated his party’s commitment to the current coalition arrangement, indicating that Congress intends to continue as part of the government framework and carry the alliance into future elections.
He said the political understanding among existing allies was enough to ensure stability without formally accommodating the AIADMK rebels in the cabinet.
VIJAY’S FLOOR TEST
Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election with 108 seats in the 234-member House, ten short of the majority mark of 118.
He formed the government with outside support from the Congress, Left parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League, taking his support tally to 119 before the floor test.
The equation changed dramatically when 25 AIADMK MLAs from the rebel camp voted in favour of the trust motion, helping Vijay secure 144 votes.
AIADMK FALLING APART
That support exposed a deep split within AIADMK. During the Assembly debate, party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami declared that all 47 AIADMK MLAs would oppose Vijay’s confidence motion.
However, senior leader SP Velumani openly broke ranks and announced support, saying the faction was respecting the people’s mandate.
Soon after the vote, Palaniswami removed 29 leaders from party posts, including Velumani and CV Shanmugam.
The rebel leaders rejected the disciplinary action, calling it invalid and accusing Palaniswami of taking major political decisions unilaterally.
They also demanded the return of expelled leaders such as TTV Dhinakaran and VK Sasikala to strengthen the party.
WHAT NEXT?
The rift has now become central to Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, as Vijay’s government benefits from a fractured opposition while the AIADMK faces a leadership crisis.
Karti Chidambaram’s remarks make clear that Congress sees the AIADMK rebels only as outside supporters and not as future coalition partners within the government.
As Vijay navigates the early days of his administration, the decision on whether to keep the AIADMK faction outside the cabinet could shape both the durability of his government and the larger alliance equations ahead of the next election.