DMK says no need for it to join Congress-led protests after exit from INDIA bloc

A view of Anna Arivalayam, DMK Head Quarters in Anna Salai. | Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj

The DMK on Monday (October 12, 2026) said it had no reason to participate in protests organised by the Congress after the latter “betrayed” it for the sake of power, forcing the DMK to leave the INDIA bloc.

“We left the INDIA bloc after the Congress betrayed the DMK for the sake of power. There is no need for us to participate in the Congress’s protests, and the party cannot compel us to join them,” a statement from the DMK headquarters said on Monday (October 12).

Reacting to Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore’s claim that the DMK had stayed away from protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar out of fear of the BJP, the DMK said he should question Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s absence from the agitation if he (Mr. Tagore) had any self-respect or sensitivity.