NEW DELHI: Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar criticized his party’s recent decision to support actor-politician Vijay and his Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu, calling the move “dreadful,” ethically questionable, and politically reckless.
In comments to PTI, Aiyar accused Congress of forsaking its longtime ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), just after contesting elections together. He contended that Congress’s five Assembly victories were entirely due to the DMK-led alliance and not a reflection of its organizational strength.
“This is an unforgivable violation of Mahatma Gandhi’s 1925 maxim, ‘Swaraj should be a government based on morality,’” Aiyar stated, suggesting that Congress may have prioritized “Chanakya” over Gandhi in its political strategy.
On Wednesday, Congress severed ties with the DMK and announced its support for Vijay’s TVK to aid in forming a government in Tamil Nadu. This shift is one of the most significant political changes in the state in recent years, particularly after TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, surprising both the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
With the backing of Congress’s five MLAs, the TVK alliance now holds 112 seats, though it remains short of the majority mark of 118. The Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), each holding two seats, are in discussions about potentially supporting Vijay, which could bring the alliance closer to power.
Aiyar warned that Congress risks compromising both its ethical standing and long-term political viability for short-term gains. He posed critical questions about the wisdom of the decision: “Is this ethical or politically wise?” He noted the party appears driven more by immediate benefits than by principles of restraint and sacrifice espoused by Gandhi.
Further, Aiyar questioned why Congress would abandon a steadfast partner, particularly highlighting the DMK’s support for Rahul Gandhi. He stated, “How can the Congress justify letting down a partner who, alone in the INDIA bloc, proclaimed ‘brother’ Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister?”
Aiyar warned that this decision might inadvertently aid the BJP in establishing a foothold in Tamil Nadu politics. He cautioned, “If this facilitates the backdoor entry of a communal BJP into the golden ‘chen Tamizh’ political ethos of Dravidian Tamil Nadu, it would prove the worst own goal in the history of political football.”
The Congress’s decision has ignited strong reactions from the DMK, which characterized the move as “backstabbing.” Protests have erupted in Chennai and Madurai, with Congress workers urging Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to invite Vijay to form the government as the leader of the single-largest formation.
Aiyar’s remarks once again place him at odds with Congress leadership. Over the years, his controversial statements have often embarrassed the party, and recently, he has distanced himself from Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, declaring, “I am a Gandhian, I am a Nehruvian, I am a Rajivian, but I am not a Rahulian.”
