TVK eyes 2029 Lok Sabha seats, pledges INDIA bloc support

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan said in Chennai on October 17 that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) aims to win seats in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and extend full support to the opposition INDIA bloc, according to The News Mill, which credited ANI inputs.

Viswanathan described parliamentary representation as the next step for the party, which he said is currently in power in Tamil Nadu. He predicted that TVK would expand its influence beyond the state. His remarks set out a political ambition, rather than an electoral outcome or an agreed seat-sharing arrangement.

Chennai protest brings TVK closer to opposition bloc

The remarks followed TVK's participation on October 15 in a Congress-led INDIA bloc protest in Chennai. The report described it as the first time the party, led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, had joined such a demonstration.

Protesters demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged electoral-roll irregularities and concerns about the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. These were allegations raised by the protesters; the report did not establish their validity or include a response from Kumar or the Election Commission.

Viswanathan identified campaign management general secretary Aadhav Arjuna and propaganda secretary A Rajmohan as TVK's representatives at the demonstration. He said they had emphasised cooperation with Congress and support for the INDIA bloc. Rajmohan, also identified in the report as the state's school education minister, attended alongside VCK president and MP Thol Thirumavalavan and MDMK general secretary Vaiko.

Formal alliance status remains unclear

VCK leader SS Balaji told ANI at the protest that TVK had expressed interest in joining the alliance in Tamil Nadu. Although he also described the party as having joined the bloc, he said national-level consent for its formal entry would come when the INDIA bloc met.

That distinction leaves the formal membership process unclear. Viswanathan's statement affirmed TVK's intended support, but the report did not document a completed national-level decision admitting the party.