DMK faces a challenge as allies are set to join the TVK government

The Dravidian party now has only MDMK and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi left for society, whose nominees have been fighting for its growing symbol. Furthermore, its newer ally, the DMDK, has not changed loyalties. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

With most of its election allies now supporting the TVK government, the DMK, which has headed the Secular Progressive Alliance since 2017, is now almost friendless in politics. The Dravidian party now has only MDMK and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi left for company, whose nominees have been fighting for its rising sun symbol. Moreover, its new ally, the DMDK, has not changed loyalties.

While the Congress left the DMK soon after the assembly elections and joined Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s cabinet on Thursday (May 21, 2026), the IUML and the VCK are set to join the ministry on Friday, signaling the end of their ties with the DMK.

However, the CPI and CPI(M), which have provided external support to the government, are likely to have some sort of working relationship with the DMK in Parliament on issues such as states’ rights and secularism.

“We have already said that we will extend issue-based support to the DMK,” said P. Shanmugam, state secretary of the CPI(M).

CPI State Secretary M. Veerapandian justified the external support of the TVK, the single largest party, by saying that it was aimed at preventing the President’s rule. “We should respect the people’s verdict. Our support will continue for five years. We expect the government to continue the programs that have become a model for the country,” he said.

The Communists were left with little choice when the proposal to form a government led by the AIADMK with the support of the DMK emerged.

It was this proposal that changed the direction of state politics, as the Communists are against the BJP, in whose company the AIADMK fought the elections.

The attitude of the left is not to enter any government unless it is able to influence its policy.

Mr. Vijay is learned to have invited VCK President Thol. Thirumavalavana to join the cabinet and offered portfolios of his choice and a third cabinet position to “run the government”. Mr. Thirumavalavan was initially inclined to accept the offer but subsequently preferred the induction of Mr. Vanni Arasa.

DMK, once seen as a champion of minorities and long dependent on their support, now faces a different political landscape and its allies are changing.

According to DMK’s internal assessment, Christians overwhelmingly voted for TVK, while Scheduled Caste voters also gravitated towards the new party. DMK officials believe these two factors contributed to party president MK Stalin’s defeat in the Kolathur constituency.

Being out of power and facing a political crisis – as it was during the Emergency – is nothing new for the DMK. However, the party needs to reconnect with Gen Z, who rely heavily on social media and the internet for information. One should also wonder how Mr. Vijay, whose charisma was built through cinema, could win over long-standing ideological moorings.

Published – 21 May 2026 21:59 IST