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Chennai: As alliance negotiations heat up ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, senior Congress leader Praveen Chakravarthy has confirmed that he indeed met with actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, adding fuel to the simmering tensions within the DMK-Congress alliance. However, he denied that his recent comments compared Tamil Nadu’s financial situation to that of Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing reporters at Chennai airport on Tuesday, Chakravarthy, the Chairman of the All India Professionals’ Congress, clarified his stance on both controversies that have rocked the DMK-led front in recent weeks.
“No Comparison with UP”
Regarding the financial row, Chakravarthy stated, “There is no controversy. I did not compare Tamil Nadu's financial situation with Uttar Pradesh. I only quoted what the Reserve Bank of India said about Tamil Nadu's debt situation. That's all.” His earlier remarks had drawn sharp criticism from the DMK and even from within his own party, with senior leader P. Chidambaram publicly refuting them as “provocative and incorrect.”
Confirms Meeting with Vijay
When asked about his much-speculated meeting with TVK leader Vijay, Chakravarthy offered a brief but significant confirmation: “It is true that I met and spoke with Vijay. That's all I can say.” He did not divulge details of their discussion or comment on the possibility of future meetings. The admission comes amid growing internal debate within the Congress over whether to continue its long-standing alliance with the DMK or explore a tie-up with the newly formed TVK for better seat-sharing and potential power-sharing in government.
DMK-Congress Alliance Under Strain
The DMK-Congress alliance, considered a formidable coalition, has shown visible strain in recent weeks. The friction began with Chakravarthy’s financial comments and his meeting with Vijay, and escalated when Congress MP Manickam Tagore publicly questioned whether it was time to discuss “not only power but power-sharing” with the DMK.
While Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Selva Perunthagai has since clarified that Tagore’s remarks were his “personal opinion” and that no talks are being held with anyone other than the DMK, Chakravarthy’s latest statements keep the speculation alive. His dual role as a key data strategist close to Rahul Gandhi adds weight to his actions, signalling that the Congress is keeping its options open and applying pressure on the DMK as formal seat-sharing talks approach.
