Their parties have been in alliance for almost two decades, except for a brief breakup in 2013. And when Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin took over their parties, they had always made it a point to publicly display their bonhomie, often calling each other brothers and ideological partners.  

Even when other allies in the Congress-led coalition shied away from naming Rahul Gandhi as its leader, it was MK Stalin who, without hesitation, declared him the coalition’s prime ministerial candidate. But behind closed doors, that bonhomie had been waning, especially over the last few months. 

That relationship has now finally come apart, with the Congress deciding to walk out of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and extend support to actor Vijay, whose party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, has emerged as the single largest party in this election.

As it became clear on the evening of May 5 that the Congress would extend support to the TVK, which needs 11 more MLAs to cross the halfway mark in the Assembly, the first salvo came from DMK leader A Saravanan, who cryptically tweeted "backstabbers". Soon, however, the gloves were off, with leaders from both sides justifying their stand and attacking each other.

Later, Sarvanan spoke to the press and accused the........

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