TVK formally joins the INDIA bloc; ready to join demonstrations against BJP and EC

Leaders of the INDIA bloc at a meeting at Sathyamurthy Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday. | Photo credit: PTI

Various Tamil Nadu leaders of the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) met at the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) headquarters in Chennai on Saturday and formally welcomed the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) into the Congress-led alliance at the national level. TNCC President B. Manickam Tagore presided over the meeting.

The meeting also decided that ‘Save Democracy’ protests would be organized at the district headquarters in Tamil Nadu on October 13 and 14 to highlight the issues surrounding the breakdown of democracy in India. In addition, there will be a protest on October 15 in Chennai with the participation of INDIA bloc leaders.

Mr. Tagore said that TVK General Secretary (Election Management) and PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna; MDMK chief Vaiko; head of VCK Thol. Thirumavalavan; CPI(M) State Secretary P. Shanmugam; KAM Muhammed Abubacker of IUML; and CPI(ML) leader Chandra Mohan attended the meeting. Other leaders, such as State Secretary of the Treasury N. Marie Wilson; Congress leaders KV Thangkabalu and KS Alagiri; Minister of State for Higher Education P. Viswanathan; VCK treasurer SS Balaji; Congress MP Praveen Chakravarty; Tiruvallur MP Sasikanth Senthil; and Congress MLA Tharahai Cuthbert were also present.

When asked if the DMK was invited to attend the meeting, Mr. Tagore said, “Anyone who is fighting against the RSS-BJP government can be part of the INDIA block. We have to have a political understanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are destroying democracy in India. Our leaders have addressed the parties who were supposed to come today, but I cannot talk about those who did not attend.”

“You asked why TVK did not attend INDIA block meetings. Now it has joined the alliance. Its leaders said they are ready to protest and burn Gyanesh Kumar’s effigy,” he said.

“INDIA block is strong in Tamil Nadu. We will stand against RSS, BJP and Gyanesh Kumar,” he added.

Published – 03 Oct 2026 22:31 IST