PM Modi Slams Congress as ‘Backstabber’ for Abandoning DMK Ally in Tamil Nadu
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended congratulations to actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay upon his swearing-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, pledging continued cooperation between the Centre and the state government to advance public welfare.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister sharply criticised the Congress party, a key supporter of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), for what he described as betraying its long-standing ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Modi characterised the Congress as both a “backstabber” and a “parasite” that had relied on the DMK for survival but discarded the alliance when political circumstances changed.
“For 25-30 years, the Congress maintained a close partnership with the DMK, with the alliance repeatedly helping the Congress navigate difficult periods,” PM Modi stated. He highlighted that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by Congress for a decade before 2014 largely endured due to crucial support from the DMK.
“Yet the very DMK that consistently supported the Congress was abandoned the moment the political winds shifted,” the Prime Minister added. According to Modi, the Congress, driven by its hunger for power, seized the first opportunity to betray its longtime partner. He suggested the party now depends on another outfit—riding on its shoulders—to maintain its political relevance.
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Vijay’s newly formed cabinet comprises nine ministers, blending youthful and seasoned leaders, primarily drawn from his core team within the TVK. Notably, no representative from the Congress—the first party to back the TVK in securing a majority—was included in the ministry.
Political observers noted indications during the election campaign that the Congress had been positioning itself strategically with Vijay. Reports suggested that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi placed significant confidence in Vijay’s potential, leading the party to skip several coordination meetings convened by the DMK in the run-up to the polls.
The developments underscore the fluid and often opportunistic nature of alliances in Tamil Nadu politics, where longstanding partnerships have given way to new alignments following the recent assembly elections.