CM Vijay cements Tamil Nadu coalition as TVK-Congress alliance gets official name

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday formally announced the name of the ruling coalition as the “Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance”, giving an official identity to the grouping comprising the TVK, Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

The announcement followed a meeting of senior leaders of the alliance at the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai. The discussions, the second major round among the coalition partners since the formation of the government, were aimed at formalising the bloc’s structure and establishing a framework for coordination among its constituents. Vijay was also chosen to lead the alliance.

Senior allies attend meeting

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore attended the meeting along with Congress leaders Praveen Chakravarthy and Tharahai Cuthbert. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and other senior leaders of his party were present, while the MDMK was represented by Vaiko and Durai Vaiko. IUML leaders, including K M Kader Mohideen, also participated in the discussions.

The meeting also deliberated on proposals for a Common Minimum Programme, the creation of a steering committee and the appointment of a convener. While the partners agreed on the alliance’s name and Vijay’s leadership, discussions over some aspects of the Common Minimum Programme are expected to continue.

Left parties stay away

The CPI and CPI(M), which support the Vijay government from outside, stayed away from Wednesday’s meeting despite being invited. Their absence means the two Left parties are not currently part of the newly formalised five-party alliance, even though they continue to support the government.

Tagore said the new coalition would operate under Vijay’s leadership and indicated that it would contest upcoming bypolls together. Alliance leaders have projected the new formation as one centred on secularism, social justice and the protection of Tamil Nadu’s interests, seeking to give the coalition an ideological identity extending beyond its immediate electoral arrangement.