The Indian National Congress has officially formed a political alliance with actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), ending its decade-long partnership with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu. The decision marks a significant realignment of the state's political forces ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The shift follows a period of internal deliberation within the Congress leadership regarding its influence and seat-sharing prospects under the DMK-led coalition. By joining the TVK, the Congress aligns itself with a nascent political entity that aims to challenge the established dominance of the DMK and AIADMK.

The TVK, which recently organized its first state-level conference, has positioned itself as a direct alternative to the traditional Dravidian parties. The exit of the Congress from the Secular Progressive Alliance is expected to prompt further realignments among smaller regional parties and impact the current government's legislative majority in upcoming sessions.

Regional leaders from both the Congress and TVK are expected to convene a joint coordination committee to finalize seat-sharing frameworks and campaign logistics. The DMK leadership is scheduled to meet in Chennai on Wednesday to discuss the impact of the departure and review its electoral strategy for the coming year.