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Vijay Alliance Talks Face Congress Push for Rahul Gandhi
Vijay’s party runs the government in Tamil Nadu with support from several other parties.
His party has invited these partners to a meeting on September 9.
They want to choose a name and make rules for working together.
Some people have suggested that Vijay could eventually become a candidate for prime minister.
Congress leaders disagree and say Rahul Gandhi should lead the national opposition alliance in 2029.
They say Vijay should concentrate on being Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister.
The Communist parties are still deciding how to respond because they support the government from outside.
The meeting may clarify how all these parties will cooperate.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has called its post-poll partners to a September 9 meeting to formalise their alliance.
Congress leaders said Rahul Gandhi, not Vijay, should be the INDIA alliance’s face for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The meeting is expected to discuss an alliance name, a coordination committee and a common minimum programme.
Tamil Nadu Congress president Manickam Tagore said Vijay should focus on serving as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister.
The CPI and CPI(M) have supported Vijay’s government from outside, while MDMK leader Vaiko confirmed he will attend the meeting.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Congress and other parties supporting Vijay’s Tamil Nadu government.
- What
- The parties will meet to discuss formalising their alliance, including its name, coordination structure and common minimum programme.
- Where
- At the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam office in Tamil Nadu.
- When
- September 9, after the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s Budget session.
- Why
- To organise the coalition and establish a common position on Tamil Nadu issues, while Congress seeks to clarify Rahul Gandhi’s national leadership claim.
Rahul Gandhi for National Leadership
Vijay as a Future National Face
2029 Prime Ministerial Face
Rahul Gandhi for National Leadership
Congress leaders Manickam Tagore and K C Venugopal said Rahul Gandhi should be the face of the INDIA alliance in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Vijay as a Future National Face
Some voices within Vijay’s ruling coalition have promoted Vijay as a possible future prime ministerial candidate, although Congress has rejected that proposition.
Vijay’s Political Priority
Rahul Gandhi for National Leadership
Congress says Vijay should focus on carrying out his responsibilities as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and leading the state alliance.
Vijay as a Future National Face
Supporters of projecting Vijay nationally describe him as “Today’s CM, tomorrow’s PM,” according to Tagore’s account.
National Alliance Membership
Rahul Gandhi for National Leadership
Tagore said TVK could be asked to join the INDIA alliance once it has members of Parliament.
Vijay as a Future National Face
TVK is currently focused on formalising its Tamil Nadu coalition, which does not yet have an announced formal alliance name.
Key facts
- Meeting date
- September 9
- Meeting purpose
- Discuss formalising the alliance, its name, a coordination committee and a common minimum programme.
- Congress preference
- Rahul Gandhi as the INDIA alliance’s face for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- Congress view of Vijay
- Vijay should lead as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister rather than be projected nationally at this stage.
- Previous meeting
- The coalition parties previously met at a hotel in Kovalam on July 1.
- Left parties
- The CPI and CPI(M) supported the government from outside and did not attend the July meeting.
- MDMK position
- MDMK leader Vaiko confirmed participation in the September 9 meeting.
Quotes
Manickam Tagore
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president
“Nobody should create any such confusion. Rahul Gandhi will be the face of the INDIA alliance (in 2029)… The INDIA alliance is moving forward. There are some issues in a few states where they are competing against each other. Otherwise, it is the INDIA alliance itself that is moving forward. That is the truth.”
indianexpress.com
“This is a story that is over, all right? There is no need to keep bringing this up again and again. As far as we are concerned, Vijay should be Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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