Archive · 1 Sep 2026
TVK-Congress Alliance Averted Breakup Over Prime Ministerial Candidate
TVK and Congress are political partners in Tamil Nadu’s ruling coalition.
They disagreed about who should be supported as India’s next Prime Minister.
Some TVK supporters began promoting Vijay for the job.
A survey listed Narendra Modi first, Rahul Gandhi second, and Vijay third among the people it questioned.
Congress minister S. Rajesh Kumar warned that Congress might give up two government posts.
Manickam Tagore said surveys do not always represent what people really think.
He also urged TVK supporters not to take the survey too seriously.
Tagore then met Vijay, and the alliance was reportedly kept together.
A possible split between the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and Congress was reportedly prevented after Manickam Tagore met Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
The dispute followed Aadhav Arjuna’s suggestion that India’s next Prime Minister should come from Tamil Nadu.
TVK supporters promoted “Vijay for Prime Minister,” which began trending on social media.
A CVoter survey reported support of 48% for Narendra Modi, 27% for Rahul Gandhi, and 9.2% for Vijay ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Congress minister S. Rajesh Kumar threatened to surrender two cabinet posts unless TVK supported Rahul Gandhi, while Tagore criticized the survey and sought reconciliation.
- Who
- The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the Indian National Congress, Manickam Tagore, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, Aadhav Arjuna, and S. Rajesh Kumar were involved.
- What
- A dispute over a future Prime Ministerial candidate threatened the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam–Congress alliance but was reportedly eased after Tagore met Vijay.
- When
- The reconciliation meeting took place on Monday; the article does not provide a date.
- Where
- The meeting took place at the Secretariat in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The disagreement followed a campaign promoting Vijay for Prime Minister and a CVoter survey that included him among potential candidates for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Congress Position
TVK Supporters’ Position
Preferred Prime Ministerial candidate
Congress Position
S. Rajesh Kumar said TVK should support Rahul Gandhi for the Prime Minister’s post.
TVK Supporters’ Position
TVK supporters promoted Vijay for Prime Minister after his inclusion in the survey results.
Interpretation of the survey
Congress Position
Manickam Tagore described the survey as a story prepared to create public opinion and said not every survey reflects the people’s voice.
TVK Supporters’ Position
TVK supporters celebrated the reported 9.2% backing for Vijay and treated it as support for his national candidacy.
Effect on the alliance
Congress Position
Congress warned it could surrender two cabinet posts if TVK did not support Rahul Gandhi, implying a possible breakup.
TVK Supporters’ Position
The TVK-linked campaign increased tensions, but the alliance remained intact after Tagore met Vijay.
- Coalition role
- The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and Congress are described as constituents of Tamil Nadu’s ruling coalition.
- Initial trigger
- PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna suggested that India’s next Prime Minister should come from Tamil Nadu.
- Campaign
- TVK supporters promoted “Vijay for Prime Minister,” which trended on social media.
- Survey figures
- The CVoter survey reported 48% support for Narendra Modi, 27% for Rahul Gandhi, and 9.2% for Vijay.
- Election context
- The survey results were presented in the context of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- Congress warning
- S. Rajesh Kumar said Congress could give up its two ministerial posts in the state cabinet.
- Reconciliation
- Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore met Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at the Secretariat on Monday.
