MDMK cuts ties with DMK alliance, pledges support to TVK government

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) has officially severed ties with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. A formal resolution to withdraw from the coalition was passed unanimously during the party’s 32nd General Council meeting held in Chennai on Saturday (June 27, 2026).

Following the meeting, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko announced that the party will extend its support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and will abstain from contesting the upcoming by-elections to back the ruling party.

The general council passed a total of 23 resolutions, with the primary resolution focusing on the exit from the DMK alliance. According to the first resolution, the decision was prompted by post-election developments where arrangements were allegedly made to install the AIADMK — which won only 47 seats in alliance with the BJP — in power. Against this backdrop, a vast majority of party executives expressed their unwillingness to continue the partnership, formalising the exit. “Everyone who spoke at the general council advocated for leaving the DMK alliance,” Mr. Vaiko stated, adding that the final decision was unanimous.

Reflecting on their nine-year-long steadfast commitment to the DMK alliance, Mr. Vaiko noted that leaders from various parties, including the CPI(M) and IUML, had exposed backroom arrangements to help the AIADMK form the government. “If that had happened, there could not have been a bigger ‘political fraud’,” Mr. Vaiko remarked.

Significantly, both of MDMK’s sitting MLAs R. Senthilselvan (Sirkazhi) and T.M. Rajendran (Kadayanallur) were conspicuously absent from the high-level meeting. When questioned about their absence, Mr. Vaiko clarified that R. Senthilselvan had already stated he had joined the DMK, while Kadayanallur MLA T.M. Rajendran had indicated that he would continue to remain with the party.

Mr. Vaiko also revealed that during a meeting with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the CM had promised to personally campaign for the MDMK if the two MLAs resigned to trigger by-elections. However, Mr. Vaiko noted that the MLAs had refused to resign. 

Explaining the party’s pivot toward the TVK, Mr. Vaiko stated that the MDMK chose to support Chief Minister Vijay’s government because it operates free of “corruption and commission” and firmly adheres to the foundational principles of socio-political leader C.N. Annadurai.

Having left the DMK alliance, Mr. Vaiko stated that they would extend their support to the TVK government. He added that they would not contest the by-elections but would support the TVK instead, and that their future actions would be geared toward forming a friendship with the TVK for the local body elections. 

Notably, the party’s principal secretary, Durai Vaiko, was also absent from Saturday’s meeting. Mr. Vaiko explained that Durai Vaiko had to travel to visit an unwell acquaintance.