Vijay-led TVK alliance gets new name; Left parties skip key meeting

Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led ruling alliance has a new identity. The bloc has been named the “Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance” following its second coordination meeting at the party headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai, on Wednesday.

The decision was taken at the meeting chaired by TVK founder and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, with leaders of key alliance partners, including the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), in attendance.

The meeting was aimed at giving the ruling alliance a formal structure and deciding how the bloc would function going forward. Among the issues discussed were the official alliance name, a Common Minimum Programme and the formation of a steering committee.

Visuals from the meeting showed Vijay in a golden kurta and veshti, giving a thumbs-up, while the logos of the alliance partners appeared on a screen behind him.

But the meeting also highlighted a divide within the ruling bloc.

CPI, CPI(M) stay away from TVK alliance meeting

The Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) were absent from the Panaiyur meeting.

The Left parties had earlier indicated that they would retain their independent position while extending issue-based support to the TVK government.

CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam had said the party's support was aimed at keeping the government stable. He had also said the party did not want to enter a formal alliance structure without cabinet berths.

Their absence therefore comes as the TVK-led bloc moves to formalise its organisational structure.

TVK-Congress differences over 2029 Lok Sabha elections

The alliance meeting also comes against the backdrop of differences between TVK and Congress over the bloc's political positioning ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Tensions had emerged over the question of the Prime Ministerial candidate. TVK PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna had earlier said that the country's top constitutional office should be held by a leader from Tamil Nadu.

The issue also drew comments from Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar, who said Congress ministers would resign if TVK did not back Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Tamil Nadu Minister Rajmohan later clarified that the statement was not an official announcement and had been made “out of affection”.

With the alliance now being given a formal name and discussions underway on its Common Minimum Programme and steering committee, the internal dynamics of the TVK-led ruling bloc are also coming into focus.

With ANI inputs