'Can’t win even 25-30 seats without Congress': TVK leader slams DMK

NEW DELHI: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Monday took a dig at the ruling DMK in Chennai, saying it would struggle to win even 25 to 30 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections without the Congress in its alliance. TVK leader C T R Nirmal Kumar claimed the DMK’s current strength relied heavily on its partners and could not sustain itself independently, news agency PTI reported. Speaking to the reporters, Kumar said “If the Congress is not there, DMK cannot cross 25 to 30 seats. This is the ground reality today. Even in 2006, the DMK would not have crossed 30 seats without the Congress. The chief minister knows this very well."Kumar, whose party was founded by actor-politician Vijay, described the Congress as a “natural partner” respected across Tamil Nadu and criticised DMK leaders for showing a lack of “basic respect” to the national party, which he said had led to friction within the ruling coalition.He added, “The DMK is in a state of deep fear after seeing TVK's field reports and surveys. This is why they are desperately trying to induct anyone into their alliance, even parties like the DMDK, which no one expected them to touch.”Taking aim at the BJP, the TVK leader condemned its “religious-based politics”, specifically citing PM Modi’s visit to Thiruparankundram. He warned against attempts to turn peaceful shrines into “disputed areas like Ayodhya” and criticised the DMK government for inaction. “Stalin, who holds the law and order portfolio, should have at least issued an advisory to the PM's office or moved the court to prevent this unnecessary controversy. The DMK is intentionally allowing this to happen to pick up religious politics themselves later,” he alleged.On TVK’s electoral plans, Kumar said the party had completed preparatory workshops across all 234 Assembly constituencies.