MDMK Ends Nine-Year Alliance With DMK to Support TVK Government

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) officially severed its nine-year alliance with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance during a meeting in Chennai on Saturday, June 27, 2026. MDMK General Secretary Vaiko announced that the party will now extend its support to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and abstain from contesting upcoming by-elections to back them.

The decision was formalised through a unanimous resolution passed during the party's 32nd General Council meeting held in the city. The council passed a total of 23 resolutions, with the primary resolution focusing on the exit from the DMK coalition.

According to the party, the decision to leave was prompted by post-election developments. MDMK leadership alleged that arrangements were being made to install the AIADMK, which won only 47 seats in alliance with the BJP, in power. Mr. Vaiko stated that a vast majority of party executives expressed unwillingness to continue the partnership with the DMK.

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. He remarked that if those arrangements had succeeded, it would have been a major political fraud.

Explaining the shift towards the TVK, Mr. Vaiko said the MDMK chose to support Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's government because it operates free of corruption and commission. He added that the TVK government firmly adheres to the foundational principles of socio-political leader C.N. Annadurai. The MDMK plans to build a friendship with the TVK for the upcoming local body elections.

The high-level meeting saw some notable absences. Both of MDMK's sitting MLAs, R. Senthilselvan of Sirkazhi and T.M. Rajendran of Kadayanallur, were absent. Mr. Vaiko clarified that Mr. Senthilselvan had already joined the DMK, while Mr. Rajendran indicated he would remain with the MDMK.

Mr. Vaiko also revealed that Chief Minister Vijay had promised to personally campaign for the MDMK if the two MLAs resigned to trigger by-elections, but the MLAs refused to resign.

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