INDIA bloc fault lines widen as DMK boycotts June 8 meet over Congress' TN 'betrayal'
Smouldering from the state election fallout — where Congress helped TVK form the government by ending DMK alliance — Stalin's party pulls out of Delhi strategy session
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will not join the proposed meeting of the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc in New Delhi on June 8. Its decision signals that its ties with the Congress, strained by the dramatic political realignment in Tamil Nadu after the recent state elections, are far from repaired.
Also read: From shock to soul-searching: DMK licks its wounds, picks up pieces
The fallout comes after the Grand-Old Party chose to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of actor-turned-Chief Minister Joseph Vijay in forming the government in the state, breaking ranks with its long-time ally, the DMK. The latter reacted sharply, publicly accusing the Congress of betrayal and backstabbing, saying the party walked away from a decades-old alliance for political convenience.
Congress rescued TVK after 2026 polls
The Congress backed the TVK with its five MLAs to help it go past the majority, along with some other parties that also broke alliance with the DMK. Vijay’s party fell 11 seats short of a majority on its own in the elections. After joining the coalition, the Congress also bagged two cabinet portfolios. It was the first time since 1967 that the party appeared in governance in the southern state.
In a post on X confirming its non-participation in the meeting, the DMK said, “The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will not participate in the "India" alliance meeting in Delhi on June 8th, where the Congress is taking part!
“At the same time – on issues raised by other parties included in this meeting that harm the nation's welfare, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will always raise its voice.”
ஜூன் 8-ஆம் தேதி டெல்லியில் நடைபெறும் "இந்தியா” கூட்டணிக் கூட்டத்தில், காங்கிரஸ் பங்கேற்கும் கூட்டத்தில் திராவிட முன்னேற்றக் கழகம் பங்கேற்காது!
— DMK (@arivalayam) June 4, 2026
அதே நேரத்தில் – இந்தக் கூட்டத்தில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ள மற்ற கட்சிகள் முன்வைக்கும் நாட்டு நலனைப் பாதிக்கும் பிரச்சினைகளில், திராவிட முன்னேற்றக்… pic.twitter.com/JrEF2ibKsG
Friction felt in Parliament too
Repercussions of the developments in Tamil Nadu were seen in New Delhi as DMK MP Kanimozhi recently urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in writing for separate seeking arrangements for her party colleagues. She cited changed political circumstances. For many, the move indicated at what might be coming, a fracture within the opposition bloc, three years before the next general elections.
Senior leaders of the bloc are expected to assemble at the national capital to discuss their joint strategy against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance and reinforce coordination ahead of crucial battles, political and electoral. Uttar Pradesh is going to elections next year, and one of INDIA bloc’s major challenges would be to stop the BJP from scripting its third successive victory in the state.
Mamata, Abhishek likely to be at meeting
The meeting, which is likely to take place at the Constitution Club, could see representatives from around 15 opposition parties. It is also happening after two of the country’s major opposition parties, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), besides the DMK, lost power recently. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and her MP nephew Abhishek Banerjee are likely to attend the meeting. Their party is facing a serious internal turmoil at the moment, with a rebellion and a virtual split.
Also read: Stalin takes responsibility for DMK debacle in TN polls: 'Don't want to blame anyone'
Leaders of the Shiv Sena (Uddhab Balasaheb Thackeray) and Samajwadi Party are also expected to appear, along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. The Aam Aadmi Party, which also doesn’t enjoy smooth ties with the Congress, is unlikely to attend.
Ex-DMK minister slams party workers
Meanwhile, former DMK state minister R Moorthy blamed the party workers for the defeat in the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
The former commercial taxes minister, who was at his sarcastic best, remarked that the public taught “us a very good lesson in this Assembly election”. He himself lost this year’s election from Madurai East constituency, which he had held since 2016, to the TVK’s S Karthikeyan.
Also read: DMK's darkest day: As TVK wave sweeps TN, Stalin reels under crushing defeat
“I express my gratitude to everyone who delivered this lesson,” he said in a video that went viral on Thursday.
He lamented the poll debacle and wondered why the DMK lost despite having done “so much good work”.
When the party workers applauded at this, Moorthy said at the meeting on Wednesday (June 3), in frustration, “Yes, go ahead and clap for the defeat too”.
He blamed the DMK workers for the defeat and regretted that the party could not return to power.
(With agency inputs)