Mani Shankar Aiyar, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, has publicly criticized his party's decision to ally with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay, in Tamil Nadu. Aiyar stated that this move violates Mahatma Gandhi's principle of 'government by morality,' which he articulated in 1925. He expressed concerns over the Congress's political judgment, highlighting the risks of abandoning its previous alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which had been a crucial partner in the INDIA alliance. The TVK emerged as a significant player in the recent Assembly elections, winning 105 seats, but still falling short of the 118 seats needed for a majority. Following the elections, Congress, which secured only 5 seats, agreed to support TVK in forming the government, a decision that has led to accusations of betrayal from the DMK. Aiyar described the alliance as 'political flat-footedness' and questioned the wisdom of the Congress's strategy. The situation has further complicated the dynamics within the opposition alliance, as seen in the response from Akhilesh Yadav, who hinted at the need for unity among opposition parties amidst electoral challenges.