Congress-TVK: the winning alliance in 2029

Even before the elections, there were many voices within the party that wanted an electoral alliance with the TVK.

- BY KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM

A wide-ranging consultative process was undertaken by the AICC and it was decided to continue the alliance with the DMK—an alliance we had forged in 2004. Though there were a few contrary voices, everybody fell in line. The electoral results are what they are. The DMK front was in no position to form the government. And the single largest party by a significant margin was the TVK. So, a post poll reconfiguration of alliances had to be done. The Congress, considering the need was a stable government, decided for a post-poll alliance with the TVK. This was a unanimous decision. In hindsight, those who had suggested an alliance with the TVK before the election were proven right. That sentiment also played a big part in hastening the coalition arrangement with the TVK.

This alliance will definitely boost the party. First, the party will now have representation in the ministry after nearly 60 years. The last time a Congress member was in the cabinet in Tamil Nadu was 1967. So that itself is a big, dramatic change for the Congress.