MDMK breaks ties with DMK alliance, promises support to TVK government

MDMK General Secretary Vaiko at a high-level party committee meeting at the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Party office in Chennai on Friday, June 26. Photo credit: Velankanni Raj B

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) has officially severed ties with the secular progressive alliance led by the DMK. A formal resolution to withdraw from the coalition was unanimously passed at the 32nd General Council meeting of the party in Chennai on Saturday (June 27, 2026).

After the meeting, MDMK general secretary Vaiko announced that the party would extend its support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and abstain in the upcoming by-elections to support the ruling party.

The General Council passed a total of 23 resolutions, with the primary resolution focused on withdrawing from the DMK alliance. According to the first resolution, the decision was prompted by post-election developments where arrangements were allegedly made to bring the AIADMK — which won only 47 seats in alliance with the BJP — to power. In this context, a large majority of party leaders expressed their reluctance to continue the partnership and formalized their departure. “All those who spoke at the general council were in favor of exiting the DMK alliance,” Mr. Vaiko said, adding that the final decision was unanimous.

Reflecting on their nine-year unwavering commitment to the DMK alliance, Mr. Vaiko noted that leaders from various parties, including the CPI(M) and IUML, had exposed behind-the-scenes arrangements to help the AIADMK form the government. “If this happened, there could not have been a bigger ‘political scam’,” Mr. Vaiko noted.

Significantly, both MDMK sitting MLAs R. Senthilselvan (Sirkazhi) and TM Rajendran (Kadayanallur) were conspicuously absent from the high-level meeting. Asked about their absence, Mr. Vaiko clarified that R. Senthilselvan had already indicated that he had joined the DMK, while Kadayanallur MLA TM Rajendran had indicated that he would remain with the party.

Mr. Vaiko also revealed that during a meeting with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the CM had promised to personally campaign for the MDMK if the two MLAs resigned to trigger the by-election. However, Mr. Vaiko noted that the MLAs refused to resign.

Explaining the party’s orientation towards TVK, Mr Vaiko said the MDMK had decided to support Chief Minister Vijay’s government because it was operating without “corruption and kickbacks” and held firm to the core principles of socio-political leader CN Annadurai.

After leaving the DMK alliance, Mr. Vaiko said he would extend his support to the TVK government. He added that they will not run in the by-elections but will instead support the TVK and that their future actions will be towards establishing friendship with the TVK for local body elections.

Notably, party general secretary Durai Vaiko was also absent from Saturday’s meeting. Mr. Vaiko explained that Durai Vaiko had to travel to visit a sick acquaintance.

Published – 27 Jun 2026 22:24 IST