Chennai | Former union minister G K Vasan-led TMC-M on Sunday announced its decision to part ways with the NDA to focus on strengthening its grassroots organisational structure independently.

In Tamil Nadu, NDA is led by AIADMK and its constituents are AMMK, PMK(Anbumani) and G K Vasan's Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar).

The party had unsuccessfully contested five seats in the April 23 Assembly polls.

Addressing a press conference following a crucial executive committee meeting attended by over 600 party functionaries, Vasan clarified that the exit was entirely amicable. He said amicable ties would be maintained with former allies, including the BJP and the AIADMK.

"This is not election time, and the decision has been taken solely based on the overwhelming feedback from our district presidents and state executives who want the party to function with its distinct individuality to rebuild its foundation," Vasan contended.

He noted that continuous alliance politics over the past 12 years had inadvertently led to a dilution of the party's standalone strength and diminished the field activities of its office-bearers. Vasan, former shipping mister, pointed out that during alliance tenures, party workers often felt their core organizational responsibilities were reduced, which ultimately hindered growth.

Elaborating on the organisational consensus, he revealed that during the mega consultation meeting, over 450 functionaries out of the 600 attendees registered their opinions directly and in writing. He stated that the absolute majority of the cadres strongly felt that the party should work independently to re-establish its grassroots foundation in the run-up to the local body polls.

Rebuffing any speculation of friction over seat-sharing or poll performance in the recently concluded 2026 assembly elections, Vasan emphasised that the TMC-M has historically epitomised "alliance dharma" since the days of its founder, veteran Congress leader G K Moopanar.

He noted that despite facing numerous internal constraints, seat limits, and constituency negotiations, the TMC-M had functioned as an exemplary partner, working with a complete sense of responsibility to ensure coalition victories.

Responding to reporters on the party's previous electoral strategy, Vasan clarified that the compulsion to contest under an ally's popular symbol in past elections arose strictly due to the technical guidelines and doctrines of the Election Commission, rather than any external pressure.

The party had even approached the High Court to secure its traditional 'bicycle' symbol but could not obtain it due to prevailing circumstances.

He added that while coalitions are necessary during elections, the current interim period will be utilised to launch extensive party-building exercises spanning towns and villages.

Vasan observed that the recent assembly elections had brought unexpected results and general disappointment to all political quarters -- ruling, opposition, and smaller parties alike -- signalling a major political shift in Tamil Nadu where voters triggered a change that few had anticipated. Actor C Joseph Vijay's TVK had won the elections and formed a coalition government that includes Congress.

The TMC-M chief also maintained that functioning independently would allow the party to freely voice and agitate for regional causes, such as the welfare of Tamil fishermen and inflation, without coalition constraints.

"Even while staying within the alliance, we never hesitated to raise our voices for public issues, including demands to curb fuel prices and resolving the fishermen's grievances," he said, adding that the party's historical commitment to organising traditional events like the annual Iftar feast underscored its firm stance on communal harmony.

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP central leadership, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss of PMK, and IJK chief A C Shanmugam, Vasan stated that his party's immediate focus remains entirely on positioning itself strongly for the forthcoming local body elections.