Allowed allies to back TVK only to avoid President's Rule in TN, says Stalin

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M K Stalin, who has blown hot and cold about the Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, said on Saturday (June 6) that it is his ally parties that supported the latter’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in government formation, only to evade imposition of the President’s Rule in the state, which he said would lead to the Bharatiya Janata Party's inroads in Tamil Nadu.

However, the former chief minister also asked his party cadres to pledge to put an end to the ruling dispensation, mocking it as one that existed only because the DMK’s allies backed it.

Also read: Why Vijay’s ‘inclusive Cabinet’ could become a new headache for DMK

Speaking at an event in Chennai where several members of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), including M Gajendran, joined his party, the former chief minister said when the allies told him about their plans to back the TVK, he did not object to it, saying it was their “choice and democratic right”.

'Wanted TN to avoid President's Rule'

“I saw them off with the sole intention of preventing the imposition of President’s rule in the state, which could have paved the way for BJP rule in Tamil Nadu. This government is functioning today, thanks to the support of the parties that were part of our alliance—parties that aligned with us because they believed the DMK should come to power,” Stalin, 73, said.

On May 9, five days after the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results came out, Stalin said something similar. He remarked that he respected the partners’ decision to back the TVK to ensure that the state’s political stability was not imperilled. On another occasion, Stalin said that his party would not disturb the new government for six months.

'Put an end to this government'

However, at Saturday’s event, Stalin also spoke strongly as an opposition leader aiming to topple the ruling party. “Let us pledge at this event to put an end to this government that exists only through our alliance support,” he said.

“Success and failure will occur. We do not lose our heads in a frenzy over victory, nor do we become disheartened by defeat today,” Stalin said, adding, “It is in this context, even though we have lost the opportunity for victory and are no longer in power, that we continue to serve from the position of the opposition.”

Also read: From shock to soul-searching: DMK licks its wounds, picks up pieces

He said the leaders of the DMK’s alliance parties have themselves conceded in various places that they informed him about the extension of support to Vijay’s party.

Udhayanidi Stalin, the current Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly and son of the senior Stalin, was also present at Saturday's event. Welcoming the new entrants in the DMK on social media platform X, he said, "Recognizing that the DMK is the steadfast movement in upholding Dravidian principles, I warmly welcome all those who have joined us. As fellow kin,let us unite and act together!

DMK's ex-allies bailed TVK out

Dramatic scenes prevailed in Tamil Nadu for several days after no party succeeded in securing a majority on its own. The TVK finished as the single-largest part with 108 seats (107 later as Vijay vacated one of his two seats won) but fell short of the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly.

Also read: 'Stalin Sir!' 10 things Vijay said in Trichy, his first public meeting as CM

It was then that many partners of the DMK, including the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Indian Union Muslim League and two Left parties, threw their weight behind the TVK to help it get a wafer-thin majority of 120. The DMK finished second with 59 seats and Udhayanidhi became the Leader of Opposition. The senior Stalin himself lost the election.

A few days after the new coalition government took charge, Stalin remarked that it could collapse any day and asked his party cadres to remain prepared. He also predicted that Tamil Nadu might see its next Assembly elections in 2029, along with the Lok Sabha polls.

But DMK hasn't forgiven Congress

Although Stalin put up a soft face, saying he was okay with the former allies of the DMK-led alliance helping the TVK, his party’s ties with the Congress deteriorated sharply after the latter backed the TVK. It accused the Grand Old Party of being a betrayer and decided to boycott the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) meeting in New Delhi on Monday (June 8). On Thursday (June 4), the party even announced that it was no longer a part of the INDIA bloc.

(With agency inputs)