A sharp political war of words has ensued between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress, after senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore rebutted Udhayanidhi Stalin’s recent remarks, accusing the party of betrayal in Tamil Nadu politics.

Days after Stalin alleged that the Congress had ‘stabbed DMK in the back’ by extending support to Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) following the recent Assembly Poll results, Tagore responded sharply, saying that Congress had consistently stood by the DMK during politically difficult periods, deeming Stalin’s remarks ‘unacceptable.’

Congress defends decision to back TVK

Speaking to news agency ANI, Tagore reminded the DMK leadership of the long-standing political relationship between both the parties. He asserted, “The Congress stood with the DMK in difficult times. We waited outside when they had a minority. Udhayanidhi’s words are unacceptable.”

Furthermore, he defended the party’s decision to back Vijay’s government, saying that the move was guided by the larger objective of preventing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from expanding its footprint in Tamil Nadu. He added, “Congress always stood with the secular alliance. But the BJP was making connecting calls between the DMK and AIADMK, which is against our principle. Any understanding with the BJP will not be tolerated by the Congress.”

Stalin launched verbal attack on Congress earlier

The political storm had intensified after Stalin launched a blistering attack on the Congress, accusing it of abandoning the DMK despite benefitting electorally from the alliance for over two decades.

The DMK leader said, “For over 20 years, the Congress party rode on our backs. Today, they have stabbed us in the back.” He also warned the party workers against rebuilding ties with the Congress in the future. He remarked, “No one should forget this. We must never trust the Congress at any point in the future, nor should we ever let them come near us again.”

Vijay’s TVK reshapes political equations in TN

Notably, Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026, bagging 108 seats in the 234-member assembly. The DMK managed to garner just 59 seats, while the AIADMK won 47. Congress managed to claim just five seats as part of the DMK-led alliance.

Although TVK fell short of a majority mark, Vijay secured support from smaller parties, independents, and sections of the opposition to stake claim to form the government. After a brief uncertainty, the Governor invited Vijay to form the government, and he took helm as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in Chennai on May 10, 2026.