Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Congress Ministers Threaten Resignation Over TVK’s Rahul Gandhi Stance
A minister from the Congress party said Congress ministers may leave Tamil Nadu’s government.
He said this could happen if the TVK party does not support Rahul Gandhi for prime minister in 2029.
Rajesh Kumar said Rahul Gandhi would become prime minister.
Some TVK members want their leader, C. Joseph Vijay, to seek the national post instead.
Another minister said India’s top job should go to someone from Tamil Nadu.
A private survey placed Vijay third among preferred candidates.
TVK won 108 seats in the 2026 state election.
Congress later helped TVK form the government, so the disagreement could create problems for their partnership.
Tamil Nadu Minister S. Rajesh Kumar said Congress ministers would resign if TVK does not endorse Rahul Gandhi for prime minister in 2029.
Kumar declared that Rahul Gandhi would become India’s next prime minister at a Congress event in Kanyakumari.
The warning followed efforts by TVK members to promote Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as a potential national candidate.
PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna said India’s top office should be held by a leader from Tamil Nadu, while a private survey ranked Vijay third.
TVK won 108 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and formed a government with support from Congress and other parties.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Minister S. Rajesh Kumar, Congress ministers, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by C. Joseph Vijay, and Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- Kumar warned that Congress ministers would resign from the Tamil Nadu cabinet if TVK does not support Rahul Gandhi as the 2029 prime-ministerial candidate.
- When
- The warning was made at a Kanyakumari Congress event described as occurring on Saturday in one account and Sunday in another; it concerns the 2029 parliamentary elections.
- Where
- Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The warning came amid TVK efforts to present C. Joseph Vijay as a possible prime-ministerial candidate.
Congress Position
TVK-Linked Position
Prime-Ministerial Candidate
Congress Position
Rajesh Kumar said Congress ministers would resign unless TVK supports Rahul Gandhi for prime minister in 2029, and declared Gandhi would become prime minister.
TVK-Linked Position
TVK ministers, MLAs and members have advocated presenting C. Joseph Vijay as a potential prime-ministerial candidate.
Tamil Nadu Leadership
Congress Position
Congress is insisting on Rahul Gandhi as its candidate for the 2029 parliamentary election.
TVK-Linked Position
PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna said India’s top office should be held by a leader from Tamil Nadu, while a private survey placed Vijay third among preferred candidates.
Coalition Stability
Congress Position
Congress supported the TVK-led government but has indicated it will not compromise on its position regarding the 2029 candidate.
TVK-Linked Position
TVK formed the state government after receiving support from Congress and other parties; the resignation warning could strain the alliance.
- Speaker
- S. Rajesh Kumar, Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister and Congress leader
- Congress ministers involved
- One report said Congress ministers would resign; another identified Rajesh Kumar and Higher Education Minister P. Vishwanathan as the two ministers concerned.
- Election at issue
- 2029 parliamentary or Lok Sabha elections
- TVK leader
- C. Joseph Vijay, Tamil Nadu chief minister
- TVK election result
- 108 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections
- Survey result
- A private media-outlet survey ranked Vijay third behind Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi
- Government support
- TVK formed the government with support from VCK, IUML, Congress, CPI and CPI(M).
