Updated copy | An alliance led by TVK called the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and leaders of TVK’s alliance partners — IUML, MDMK, Congress and VCK — show signs of victory as they announce the name of the TVK alliance “Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance” on September 9, 2026 at the TVK headquarters, Panaiyur, Chennai. Photo credit: Special arrangement

The post-election alliance led by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu, comprising the Congress, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), was named the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance (SSJVA).

At the second meeting of alliance partners on Wednesday at TVK’s headquarters in Panaiyur, a suburb of Chennai, the alliance was formally named. TVK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has been appointed as the chairman of the alliance. It was decided that the alliance partners would work together in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

After the meeting, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Manickam Tagore, IUML National President KM Khader Mohideen, VCK Founder and President Thol. Thirumavalavan and MDMK leader Vaiko along with TVK leaders and ministers Aadhav Arjuna and KG Arunraj addressed a joint press conference to announce the name of the alliance.

Mr. Tagore said that the candidates on behalf of the alliance for the upcoming Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls would be announced on Thursday. Describing the alliance as a strong ideological formation, he said efforts would be made to involve more parties and a common minimum program would also be proposed.

Mr. Thirumavalavan said that secularism and social justice were the two core ideologies of the alliance and that the formation was against communal forces. Mr. Vaiko said there will be coordination meetings of the alliance at the district level.

Asked who would be the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Tagore said that the parties currently part of the SSJVA are also components of the INDIA bloc at the national level. TVK will become a part of the INDIA bloc once it has MPs. The INDIA Bloc Prime Ministerial candidate will be announced just before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and Mr. Vijay will run as the candidate, Mr. Tagore said.

The parties now in the SSJVA were part of the secular progressive alliance led by the DMK during the 2026 assembly elections. They merged with the TVK after the election results were announced in which the TVK did not get a majority.

Published – 09 Sep 2026 19:18 IST