Tamil Nadu Ruling Bloc Named 'Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance'

The ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu has been formally named the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance. The announcement was made on [day of meeting] following a coordination meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay at the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur.

The alliance, led by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), includes the Congress, VCK, MDMK, and IUML. The name was chosen to reflect the coalition's core principles of secularism and social justice, according to leaders present at the meeting.

VCK leader SS Balaji revealed that the alliance's name was Chief Minister Vijay's idea. He stated that the nomenclature makes it clear that the alliance stands in opposition to the BJP and what he termed "fascist forces." Balaji added that this clarity addresses any earlier criticism suggesting the TVK was soft towards the BJP.

The meeting also saw participation from Tamil Nadu Congress Committee Chief Manickam Tagore, who asserted that there is no difference of opinion between the TVK and Congress. He indicated that the TVK would support the alliance's prime ministerial candidate at the appropriate time, a statement that comes amid recent friction over "Vijay for PM" demands.

While the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) skipped the meeting, TVK minister Aadhav Arjuna said they are expected to join the alliance soon. The alliance's formal structure, including its Common Minimum Programme and a proposed steering committee, was discussed.

Regarding the national INDIA bloc, VCK's Balaji said the TVK would consider joining once it has members of parliament, which it currently does not. The alliance is set to make its electoral debut in the upcoming by-election, with candidate names to be announced tomorrow.