A fresh exchange of words has emerged within the DMK-led alliance after MDMK General Secretary Vaiko criticised Congress MP Manickam Tagore, prompting a rebuttal from the latter.
A few days ago, speaking at a regional-level election fund collection meeting held in Madurai under his leadership, Vaiko said, “Congress MP Manickam Tagore is speaking very harshly, and his words are creating discomfort within the alliance.”
During the event, ₹52 lakh was contributed from Madurai city, while ₹1.38 crore was contributed from Madurai (rural), Theni, Dindigul, Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram districts.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Vaiko said, “In the upcoming election, the DMK-led alliance will win a majority of seats, and the DMK will form the government with an absolute majority. There is no scope for talk of a coalition government. The joining of the DMDK to the DMK alliance is sweet news.”
Vaiko further stated, “The secular progressive alliance led by the DMK, which was already strong, will become even stronger with the arrival of the DMDK. The opposition camp is in confusion.”
Referring to Manickam Tagore, Vaiko said, “Congress MP Manickam Tagore is speaking very harshly. His words appear to be creating friction within the alliance. When he says, ‘We too will hit back,’ he speaks like two people quarrelling in Ramanathapuram. Even members of his own party have condemned this.”
He also remarked, “Since its inception, it has been the habit of the Congress party to raise dissenting voices. In internal party matters, khadi shirts have been torn; this is nothing new. The DMK does not take seriously everything that Congress members say. Asking for a share in governance and power is the Congress party’s right. Congress members will raise nine different voices at the same time; it is not possible to respond to all of them.”
Following these remarks, Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore issued a rebuttal to Vaiko. He stated that he is remaining patient only because the Congress leadership has instructed party members not to speak publicly about alliance matters.
He said he is maintaining silence “out of respect for the directive from the All India Congress leadership” and clarified that he is not doing so out of fear. Addressing Vaiko as “Anna Vaiko,” he posted that he is remaining silent because of party discipline, not because he is afraid. Manickam Tagore reiterated that his silence follows this directive and is not due to fear.
He wrote on his X handle, “I am respectfully abiding by the instruction given by the All India Congress leadership not to speak about the alliance, and I am moving past this issue with patience. I am not afraid, Anna Vaiko.”
கூட்டணி குறித்து பேச கூடாது என்று அகில இந்திய காங்கிரஸ் தலைமை சொன்ன ஒத்த வார்தைக்கு மரியாதை கொடுத்து இதை தாண்டி பொறுமையுடன் கடந்த போறேன்.
பயந்துகிட்டு இல்ல அண்ணன் வைகோ அவர்களே. @TamilTheHindu https://t.co/Pq5PjGeNYV
— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) February 20, 2026
It was reported that Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Selvaperunthagai had complained to All India Congress Committee President Mallikarjun Kharge that Manickam Tagore’s earlier remarks were causing disturbances within the alliance. Subsequently, the Congress high command issued instructions that party members should refrain from speaking publicly about alliance matters.
Source: Hindu Tamil
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