Manickam Tagore, president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, has said that parties that have moved away from the INDIA alliance could eventually regret their decision. Speaking about the alliance and the political situation in Tamil Nadu, Tagore maintained that the opposition grouping remains relevant despite recent differences between its constituent parties.
His remarks come amid heightened political activity in the state ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram. The TVK-led Secular Social Justice Victory alliance, which includes the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee along with other parties, is also holding joint campaign events as polling approaches.
Tagore announces protest programmes
Tagore said the Congress would participate in a series of programmes focused on what the party describes as protecting democratic institutions. These include Save Democracy marches scheduled from October 2 to October 8, followed by an MPs' march towards the Election Commission of India office.
He linked these activities to the party's longer-term political preparations ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
Tagore also dismissed the possibility of a viable third political front, arguing that the available political space outside the existing alliances was limited. His comments reflect the Congress leader's assessment of the current alliance landscape rather than an independently established outcome.
Focus on Tamil Nadu bypolls
The Congress leader also spoke about the upcoming contests in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, expressing confidence about his alliance's prospects. He claimed that campaigns involving senior Congress leaders and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay would help the alliance's candidates.
The two constituencies are scheduled to vote on October 6, with campaigning set to end on October 4. The TVK-led alliance is seeking to demonstrate coordination among its constituent parties, with leaders including Tagore, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, MDMK general secretary Vaiko and IUML leader K.M. Khader Mohideen scheduled to participate in a joint Madurantakam campaign event.
Tagore also criticised the DMK's current political position and claimed that the party was competing for third place in the ongoing electoral contest. That remains a campaign claim and has not been independently established.
With the bypoll campaign entering its final days, Tagore's comments highlight the continuing political contest between the Congress-backed alliance, TVK and its partners, and rival parties in Tamil Nadu.
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