NEW DELHI: Congress on Friday advised Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay not to include the rebel AIADMK group in his government, saying he must stay true to the mandate. Speaking to news agency PTI, Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said people voted for a government that excludes both the AIADMK and the DMK. He added that if Vijay inducts AIADMK MLAs into his government, it would erode his goodwill and credibility. “Chief minister Vijay does not need the support of any splinter group of AIADMK. In fact, the mandate is for a government that excludes both the AIADMK and the DMK. And he must stay true to that mandate and ignore the splinter group of AIADMK,” the Congress leader said. “And there is no reason for him to take them into the government. If they have voluntarily supported him in the vote of confidence, so be it. But there is no reason to bring them into government. In fact, I would urge him not to bring them into government,” he added. This comes after 25 AIADMK MLAs voted in favour of Vijay’s government during the floor test following an internal rift in the party. The political turmoil within the AIADMK intensified after Shanmugam publicly criticised EPS, accusing him of weakening the organisation and leading the party towards repeated electoral defeats since the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016. “The defeat faced by the AIADMK in the recently concluded Assembly elections must be discussed. We need to deliberate and analyse the reasons behind these continuous defeats,” Shanmugam had said. He also alleged that the party’s founding ideology had been diluted under the present leadership and claimed that several senior leaders and functionaries had been removed from organisational positions. The EPS-led faction initiated disciplinary action against leaders accused of violating the party whip during the recent floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Several leaders, including C V Shanmugam and C Vijayabaskar, were removed from organisational posts. At present, Palaniswami has the support of 22 MLAs, while the rebel faction led by Velumani and Shanmugam is backed by 25 AIADMK legislators. Both factions have sought disqualification of each other’s MLAs under the anti-defection law over voting during the TVK government’s floor test.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLiquor Row Turns Political In J&K: BJP Protests Outside Omar Abdullah Residence, NC Defends PolicyIndia-UAE Sign Major Energy Pact As UAE To Store 30 Million Barrels In India’s Strategic Oil ReserveIran Calls Chabahar Port India’s “Golden Gate” To Central Asia, Urges Continued CooperationFIR Filed Against Abhishek Banerjee|TMC Alleges Poll Manipulation, Post-Poll Violence in West Bengal’Not An Iota Of Truth’: PM Modi Rubbishes Report Of Restriction On Foreign Travel28 Hostages From Kuki, Naga Communities Held By Armed Groups Released In Manipur’I Am Sorry To…’: Shashi Tharoor To Skip VD Satheesan’s Swearing-In As Kerala CMNEET UG 2026 Re-Exam On June 21, Computer-Based Test Format From Next Year: Education MinisterOman To Gujarat: India Fast-Tracks Deep-Sea Gas Pipeline Project Amid Hormuz CrisisCJI Surya Kant Makes Strong Remarks During Senior Advocate Hearing123Photostories8 famous Indian street foods that were once royal dishesThese forgotten Indian plants attract bees better than expensive flowersArt quote of the day by Pablo Picasso: “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary”“My parents never said this to me”: 7 sentences children remember forever8 Indian foods that are naturally probioticThe ‘pollinator balcony’ trend every Indian gardener should know aboutQuote of the day inspired by the Bhagavad Gita: “Detachment is not indifference”10 baby girl names that mean strong in different languagesEating every two hours? Doctors explain why constant snacking could backfire on your health5 surprisingly easy ways to lose weight without intense workouts123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingRishabh PantNEET PaperIPL Points TableNEET Aspirant DieKerala Board SSLC Result 2026IPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026Bengaluru RapeWho is Shubham KhairnarIndia UA Trade Talk
NEW DELHI: Congress on Friday advised Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay not to include the rebel AIADMK group in his government, saying he must stay true to the mandate. Speaking to news agency PTI, Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said people voted for a government that excludes both the AIADMK and the DMK. He added that if Vijay inducts AIADMK MLAs into his government, it would erode his goodwill and credibility. “Chief minister Vijay does not need the support of any splinter group of AIADMK. In fact, the mandate is for a government that excludes both the AIADMK and the DMK. And he must stay true to that mandate and ignore the splinter group of AIADMK,” the Congress leader said. “And there is no reason for him to take them into the government. If they have voluntarily supported him in the vote of confidence, so be it. But there is no reason to bring them into government. In fact, I would urge him not to bring them into government,” he added. This comes after 25 AIADMK MLAs voted in favour of Vijay’s government during the floor test following an internal rift in the party. The political turmoil within the AIADMK intensified after Shanmugam publicly criticised EPS, accusing him of weakening the organisation and leading the party towards repeated electoral defeats since the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016. “The defeat faced by the AIADMK in the recently concluded Assembly elections must be discussed. We need to deliberate and analyse the reasons behind these continuous defeats,” Shanmugam had said. He also alleged that the party’s founding ideology had been diluted under the present leadership and claimed that several senior leaders and functionaries had been removed from organisational positions. The EPS-led faction initiated disciplinary action against leaders accused of violating the party whip during the recent floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Several leaders, including C V Shanmugam and C Vijayabaskar, were removed from organisational posts. At present, Palaniswami has the support of 22 MLAs, while the rebel faction led by Velumani and Shanmugam is backed by 25 AIADMK legislators. Both factions have sought disqualification of each other’s MLAs under the anti-defection law over voting during the TVK government’s floor test.