Political Rift in Tamil Nadu: Congress Threatens Exit Over TVK’s ‘Vijay for PM’ Pitch
CHENNAI – The fragile governing coalition in Tamil Nadu faces a significant internal crisis as state Congress leaders have issued an ultimatum to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s administration, demanding unequivocal support for Rahul Gandhi as the next candidate for Prime Minister in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Tensions reached a boiling point on Saturday when Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar declared that the two Congress ministers currently serving in the state cabinet are prepared to resign if the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) continues to promote Vijay for the national leadership.
An Uncompromising Stance
“The party will not compromise on its stand,” Kumar stated during a public event, asserting that Rahul Gandhi remains the only candidate the Congress party will endorse for the 2029 general elections.
This warning follows weeks of mounting friction between the two allies. Since forming the government following the 2026 Assembly elections—where the TVK secured 108 seats—the coalition has relied on the support of the VCK, IUML, CPI, and CPI(M). However, the TVK’s recent national ambitions have put the alliance on the brink of collapse.
The ‘Vijay for PM’ Momentum
The TVK has recently intensified its campaign to project Chief Minister Vijay as a pan-India leader. Senior TVK figure KA Sengottaiyan fueled the fire by claiming that the popularity of the actor-turned-politician extends well beyond Tamil Nadu.
“People from north Indian states are looking forward to our leader; he is the one who has the power to rule the entire India,” Sengottaiyan remarked. He further drew parallels between Vijay and legendary Tamil figures, stating, “I have travelled with MGR and Jayalalithaa. After these two leaders, Vijay is the force who will not only rule Tamil Nadu but also the future India.”
Tensions Over ‘Fan-Club’ Mentality
The Congress leadership, however, has dismissed these claims, suggesting that the TVK’s leadership is struggling to transition from movie-stardom culture to serious political governance.
B. Manickam Tagore, the state Congress president and MP, offered a sharp critique of the recent rhetoric, suggesting that the TVK is still operating in “fan-club mode.”
“You cannot silence people who are in the fan-club mode,” Tagore said, highlighting the growing frustration within the Congress ranks. As the 2029 general elections loom on the horizon, the governing coalition must now decide whether to reconcile their conflicting national ambitions or risk a high-stakes cabinet collapse that could reshape the political landscape of the state.
