DMK Attends Speaker Tea Party: Official Split as 3 INDIA Bloc Allies Boycott
DMK attends Speaker tea party as the only INDIA bloc constituent present, after Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party boycotted the customary get-together hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Here’s what happened, why the boycott took place, and what it signals about DMK’s standing within the INDIA bloc.
What Happened at the Speaker’s Tea Party?
On August 13, 2026, the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, formally bringing the Monsoon Session to a close. Following the adjournment, Speaker Om Birla hosted the customary tea party for MPs across party lines, an event traditionally attended by leaders from both the ruling side and the Opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several other senior leaders were present. However, the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party boycotted the event as a mark of protest against the government’s handling of issues raised during the Monsoon Session.
DMK attends Speaker tea party despite this boycott, with party MP Kanimozhi turning up on behalf of the DMK, making it the only INDIA bloc constituent represented at the event.
The Rajya Sabha Story Was Different
Notably, the fact that DMK attends Speaker tea party gatherings while other allies stay away isn’t unique to the Lok Sabha, though this particular boycott was specific to that House. In the Rajya Sabha, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Sonia Gandhi both attended the parallel tea party hosted by Chairman C P Radhakrishnan, showing that Congress’s protest wasn’t a blanket boycott of every Parliament-related tea meeting, just the one hosted by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Why Did DMK Attend While Other INDIA Bloc Allies Stayed Away?
The fact that DMK attends Speaker tea party functions while its INDIA bloc partners stayed away has fuelled speculation about the party’s equation with Congress. Responding to questions about it, Kanimozhi sought to downplay the controversy, saying the DMK was simply maintaining its distance from Congress specifically on this occasion, while asserting that the party continues to remain part of the INDIA bloc overall.
Speculation Over DMK’s Ties With BJP
This isn’t the first time DMK attends Speaker tea party-style government-hosted events and raises eyebrows for it. Critics, including the Congress and other INDIA bloc partners, have alleged that the BJP is seeking DMK’s support to pass key legislative measures, including proposals connected with the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. The party has faced similar criticism before over what opponents describe as its perceived proximity to the BJP, even as DMK maintains it remains firmly within the INDIA bloc.
Tamil Nadu’s Political Backdrop
This episode is unfolding against a broader Tamil Nadu political backdrop ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Actor-politician Vijay has positioned his Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) as the primary anti-DMK force in the state, describing the Stalin government in strongly critical terms, while DMK is separately reported to be under pressure from its own alliance partners over seat-sharing for the same elections.
Parliament’s Monsoon Session produced plenty of other significant developments too, our coverage of the Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 looks at one of the major pieces of legislation that cleared both houses during the same session.
What This Means for the INDIA Bloc
Whether or not DMK attends Speaker tea party events going forward, moments like this tend to get read as signals of where individual INDIA bloc partners stand relative to each other, particularly ahead of state elections where alliance dynamics matter as much as national politics. Details of proceedings from this and other sessions are maintained on the Sansad portal, the official website of India’s Parliament.
Government legislation and coalition dynamics have both been active fronts this session, our coverage of the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 covers another significant piece of Monsoon Session business that drew its own share of political reaction.
What Happens Next
With the Monsoon Session now over, and after DMK attends Speaker tea party functions solo this time, attention will likely shift to how the party positions itself within the INDIA bloc as Tamil Nadu heads toward its 2026 assembly elections, and whether Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party’s boycott of the Speaker’s tea party has any lasting bearing on coordination within the alliance.
For more national news and political updates, check out our National section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did DMK attend the Speaker tea party alone from the INDIA bloc?
Yes. DMK attends Speaker tea party events this time as the sole INDIA bloc representative, since Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party all stayed away.
Who attended the Lok Sabha Speaker’s tea party in August 2026?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several senior leaders, and DMK’s Kanimozhi attended, while Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party boycotted the event.
Why did Congress boycott the Speaker’s tea party?
Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party, boycotted the event as a mark of protest against the government’s handling of issues raised during the Monsoon Session.
Why is DMK attending the Speaker’s tea party seen as controversial?
Because DMK was the only INDIA bloc constituent present while its allies stayed away, fuelling speculation about its relationship with Congress and its perceived proximity to the BJP.
What did Kanimozhi say about attending the tea party?
She said the DMK was maintaining its distance from Congress specifically on this occasion, while asserting that the party remains part of the INDIA bloc.
Did all opposition parties boycott the Speaker’s tea party?
No. Only Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party boycotted the Lok Sabha event; in the Rajya Sabha, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi attended the Chairman’s parallel tea party.