The internal rift within the INDIA Bloc is deepening, with a DMK Minister in Tamil Nadu launching a fresh attack on ally Congress. The Minister alleged that the Congress is more concerned about securing seats for itself in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, neglecting the collective interests of the coalition.

Acknowledging that the Congress is a "big and old party", DMK Minister Raja Kannappan said it has "lost its strength".

"As far as the Congress is concerned, they run the party only to get seats. What is the use of that? They don't run the party thinking they should work hard or do good for the people. But when elections come closer, they will come. This doesn't work amongst the people," he has said at an event to pay tribute to the martyrs of the language struggle in Puducherry.

"That is why the BJP is trying to do too much. The BJP can't do that with us. We don't get scared. We will chase them away. We will take care of the BJP," he said.

The DMK and the Congress, who are partners in the Tamil Nadu government, are set to hold the first round of formal seat-sharing talks for the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Chennai on Sunday.

Kanappan said, "As far as the INDIA bloc is concerned, our leader spoke about it even a day back. Congress is a big and old party. I'm not denying that. But they have lost their strength."

In Saturday development, DMK leaders stressed on the need to defeat the ruling BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in his address, he said INDIA bloc leaders have to realise that when the BJP was rattled at the prospect of a win for the opposition alliance even at the level of a mayor poll in Chandigarh, unity among constituents will dislodge the saffron party from power at the Centre.

Citing the postponement of Chandigarh mayor polls and the tie-up between the AAP and Congress there, he said the BJP-led Central government "cancelled" even a mayor-level election as the scenario was ripe for victory. The media billed the later deferred civic election as the 'to-be first victory' of the INDIA alliance.

"When they cancel even a mayor level poll, the INDIA alliance leaders must realise the fear of the BJP. We have to use this. We have to seize the opportunity that we have now. If we remain united, the BJP will be defeated. Democracy will win and time will say that. Thirumavalavan will also win and time will say that too," he said.