Chennai

Senior Congress leader Karti Chidambaram on Wednesday said discussions about a possible alliance with actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had taken place within the party even before the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Karti said some leaders had advocated exploring a tie-up with TVK ahead of the polls. However, after consultations with stakeholders, the Congress leadership chose to continue its long-standing alliance with the DMK.

He said many within the party believed the relationship with the DMK should be honoured, adding that Congress remains committed to supporting a secular government without compromising on its core principles.

Karti also claimed that Vijay had initiated contact with Congress and that the party responded positively by extending support for government formation in Tamil Nadu.

TVK emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, just short of the 118 needed for a majority.

While Congress has publicly backed TVK, it remains unclear which other parties may support Vijay’s bid to form the government.

Karti clarified that Congress shares only an electoral understanding with the DMK and is not part of its government, though cooperation at the national level can continue.

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He also remarked that the AIADMK is going through a difficult phase and needs to reassess its future under the leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami.