T. R. Baalu, the treasurer of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, expressed strong disapproval of the Indian National Congress (INC) for its recent decision to sever ties with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on May 6, 2026. He accused Congress of adopting 'shortcut routes' akin to those used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in various states, undermining political ethics by failing to honor its commitments to the voters. Baalu noted that the DMK has historically stood by Congress during its challenges, paying a heavy price for their loyalty. He criticized Congress for allegedly betraying the electorate by 'pawing' its five MLAs who were part of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) and won recent elections thanks to the hard work of alliance members. Baalu recalled that in past elections, the DMK had supported Rahul Gandhi as a prime ministerial candidate, showcasing their commitment to Congress despite the current fallout.