The CPI(M) and CPI skipped the coordination meeting, marking their second consecutive boycott of formal alliance talks since July 1.
TVK-Congress alliance named Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance
TVK and Congress formally name their alliance in Tamil Nadu, as CPI(M) and CPI skip coordination talks amid differences over national leadership
The TVK-Congress alliance was formally named the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance at a coordination meeting held on Wednesday (September 9) at TVK headquarters in Chennai.
The CPI(M) and CPI skipped the coordination meeting, marking their second consecutive boycott of formal alliance talks since July 1. CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam on Tuesday (September 8) said the Left parties would continue to extend outside support on an issue-based basis, with the aim of maintaining stability in the Assembly.
The alliance has also been facing differences between the TVK and Congress over the question of national leadership.
Statements from TVK legislators and ministers projecting Chief Minister Vijay as a possible Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections have faced opposition from leaders of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.
Congress Minister S Rajesh Kumar maintained that Rahul Gandhi remains the undisputed leader of the national opposition bloc. He warned that any attempt to challenge this position could lead the party to reconsider its participation in the state cabinet.
The TVK leadership later sought to play down the issue, saying the "Vijay for PM" remarks represented the personal views of individual lawmakers.
The differences come at a time when the TVK government depends on support from several allies to maintain its thin majority. Congress has five MLAs, while the VCK, IUML and Left parties have two MLAs each.