'Opportunistic Backstabbing': Tamil Nadu NSUI Leader Quits Over Congress Split With DMK To Support TVK

Last Updated:May 07, 2026, 18:18 IST

Dhayaananth Karthick MB highlighted that MK Stalin and the DMK had stood by Rahul Gandhi during the Congress’s most difficult political phases

The State Secretary of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in Tamil Nadu, Dhayaananth Karthick MB, resigned from his post on Thursday. In a scathing open letter published in The Indian Express, Karthick cited a “sense of betrayal" and “ideological conflict" following the Congress leadership’s decision to move towards an alliance with actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) at the expense of the DMK.

Shifting Loyalties

Karthick, who had been a dedicated worker since 2019, expressed deep disappointment over the party’s shifting loyalties. He highlighted that MK Stalin and the DMK had stood by Rahul Gandhi during the Congress’s most difficult political phases—specifically in 2014 and 2019—when many other regional leaders had distanced themselves from the party.

“MK Stalin stood beside Rahul Gandhi publicly and fearlessly when the media machinery mocked him," Karthick wrote, referencing Stalin’s pivotal role in launching the Bharat Jodo Yatra and his early endorsement of Gandhi as a Prime Ministerial candidate. He characterised the Congress’s recent pivot as “opportunistic backstabbing," particularly after the party had already secured a Rajya Sabha seat and 28 MLA seats through its partnership with the DMK.

Questioning the TVK Move

The outgoing NSUI leader questioned the rationale behind choosing TVK, a party he claims has yet to prove its ideological or political superiority. He noted that the TVK leadership remained silent during local tragedies, such as the Karur stampede, and pointed to criticisms from senior Congress leaders like DK Shivakumar, who had previously termed Vijay an “immature politician".

Principled Politics over Power

Karthick argued that the move to TVK appears to be a “symbolic flex statement" to project Rahul Gandhi as the “Prime Ministerial face of South India", rather than a decision rooted in principled politics. Emphasising that “ideology matters more than a political post", Karthick stated that while he continues to respect Gandhi’s core message, he cannot remain part of a leadership that repays steadfast loyalty with betrayal.

The resignation comes at a sensitive time for the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu, as the Congress recalibrates its strategy following the 2026 assembly elections, potentially ending a decades-old fraternal bond with the DMK.

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