India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
The political row of the actor-turned-politician Vijay took a new turn recently when the partners in the alliance chalked out a name for itself- Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance. The meeting was held at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) headquarters in Panaiyur here on September 9, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Vijay himself, with senior leaders of Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also present.
It was the first meeting of the alliance that came into existence after the 2026 Assembly elections, which scripted victory for the Congress and VCK, and formed the government at the Centre.
Political parties TVK (led by Vijay), Congress, VCK, MDMK, and IUML named their alliance the “Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance” on September 9, 2026, and planned a Common Minimum Programme and steering committee.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore, Congress Rajya Sabha member Praveen Chakravarthy and Assembly floor leader Tharahai Cuthbert were present. MDMK founder Vaiko and Durai Vaiko, besides VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan also turned up for the meet. KM Kader Mohideen, AM Shahjahan and Syed Farooq Basha of IUML were also present.
The name of the alliance is said to have far-reaching implications. Besides highlighting certain key issues of common interest to all the alliance partners, it sought to reiterate the ideology of socialism and secularism, which have been the hallmark of Tamil Nadu politics for a long time. The word ‘victory’ in the name is supposed to signify Vijay’s own victory, as also his importance in the new political set-up as the TVK chief.
However, it was not the only agenda of the meet. The alliance leaders also chalked out the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) that would guide all the parties, and also decided to constitute a Steering Committee, including appointment of a convener, and a common media committee and website.
With a view to having an effective governing body, the meeting had decided to set up a steering committee which would include senior party leaders.
The issue of a CMP is particularly crucial, considering the ideological differences between various partners in the alliance. While the TVK is a new entrant to Tamil Nadu’s political lexicon, the Congress, VCK, MDMK and IUML have a rich history and their own ideological moorings. The differences however, seem to be getting submerged under the need to confront the Left Front.
With CPI(M) and CPI not present at the Panaiyur meeting, despite having extended support to the government, the new government’s relations with the Left Front remains an open issue. Though the CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugan had said on September 8 that the Left parties were providing external support to the government, which is different from being part of the alliance.
In an attempt to balance between the two alliances, the Left Front, while supporting the government on all issues of importance to it, would keep its doors open for other political formations.
Nominally, the naming ceremony was the first step towards institutionalizing the new political alliance. The next important step, which is likely to come up for discussion at the next meeting, is to adopt the Common Minimum Programme, apart from constituting the Steering Committee and appointing a convener.
In fact, the upcoming meetings of the alliance will be crucial for Vijay and TVK, who would like to transform it into a permanent set-up to manage the divergent ideologies of the allies, and evolve necessary mechanisms for power-sharing.
