The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has become increasingly strained as leaders from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) have publicly suggested that Chief Minister Vijay could be a contender for the Prime Ministerial position in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. This development has sparked significant friction within the ruling alliance in the state.
Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar has issued a strong warning, stating that Congress ministers will resign from the state Cabinet if the TVK does not support Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming 2026 general elections. This ultimatum highlights the growing divisions and the urgency for consensus among coalition partners as they navigate their electoral strategies.
The ultimatum highlights growing internal strains within the coalition led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The discourse intensified following a recent independent media survey that placed Vijay among the top preferred figures for the premiership, trailing only Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. These ongoing projections from TVK circles have triggered visible discomfort within the Congress ranks.
Tensions began building after multiple TVK leaders openly championed Chief Minister Vijay as a potential national leader and prime ministerial prospect for 2029.
“Rahul Gandhi will be the prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 parliamentary election…If at all TVK refuses to accept this, the two Congress ministers will walk out of the cabinet,” Kumar declared.
Addressing party workers at the swearing-in ceremony of George Robinson as the head of the Kanyakumari West District Congress Committee, Kumar asserted that Rahul Gandhi remains the party’s definitive choice for India’s top post, reported News18. The current administration rests on a crucial cooperative framework. Securing outside support and alliance pacts—including crucial backing from the Congress—enabled the formation of the government under Vijay.
Following the 2026 Assembly elections, the TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, narrowly missing an absolute majority in the 234-member house. This alliance also marked a historic political milestone, bringing the Congress back into the Tamil Nadu state ministry for the first time since 1967, with two berths allotted to the party. With the Congress’s legislative support remaining vital for maintaining the government’s majority, this developing rift over national leadership poses an early test for the coalition’s stability as the Vijay government navigates its path beyond first 100 days. Earlier reporting noted: Speaking at an event on Saturday, Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar stated that both Congress ministers will resign if TVK fails to back Gandhi in the 2029 general elections.
Earlier reporting noted: ‘Back Rahul Gandhi or…’: Congress minister’s big warning after TVK’s PM push for Vijay Congress leaders from Tamil Nadu have threatened to resign from the state cabinet if chief minister Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam does not accept Rahul Gandhi as the next candidate for prime minister. Earlier reporting noted: Kumar added that the party would not compromise on its stand, asserting that Rahul Gandhi is the only candidate the Congress party would support in the Lok Sabha elections.
