Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Congress Backs Rahul Gandhi as TVK Eyes Vijay’s National Rise
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, runs the Tamil Nadu government with support from several parties.
These parties will meet on September 9 to decide how their alliance should work and what it should be called.
They may also discuss shared policies and a committee to coordinate their work.
Some supporters have suggested that Vijay could become a national leader or prime ministerial candidate in the future.
Congress disagrees with that idea for now.
Congress leaders say Rahul Gandhi should be the face of the INDIA alliance in the 2029 national election.
They also say Vijay should concentrate on doing his job as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister.
The Communist parties support the government from outside and are still deciding how to respond to the invitation.
Analysts say Vijay’s national prospects could depend on how he performs as chief minister.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam will meet its post-poll partners on September 9 to formalise their Tamil Nadu alliance.
Congress leaders Manickam Tagore and K C Venugopal said Rahul Gandhi should lead the INDIA alliance in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The meeting is expected to finalise the alliance’s name and discuss a coordination committee and common minimum programme.
Congress said Vijay should focus on serving as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, while some within the coalition have promoted him as a future prime ministerial contender.
The CPI and CPI(M) support Vijay’s government from outside, while Congress, MDMK, IUML and VCK have participated in alliance discussions.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Congress and other parties supporting Vijay’s Tamil Nadu government.
- What
- The parties will meet to formalise their alliance, choose its name and discuss coordination and a common minimum programme.
- When
- September 9, following the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s Budget session.
- Where
- At the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam office in Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- To organise the state-level coalition, while Congress seeks to establish Rahul Gandhi as the INDIA alliance’s national face for 2029.
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 coalition have promoted him as a possible future prime ministerial candidate, although Congress has rejected that proposition.
Vijay’s Immediate Priority
Rahul Gandhi for National Leadership
Congress says Vijay should concentrate on leading Tamil Nadu and fulfilling the mandate he received as Chief Minister.
Vijay as a Future National Face
Supporters and some analysts see Vijay as having potential for a larger national role, depending partly on his performance as chief minister before 2029.
State and National Alliances
Rahul Gandhi for National Leadership
Congress distinguishes the Tamil Nadu coalition from the national INDIA alliance and says TVK could be asked to join the latter once it has members of Parliament.
Vijay as a Future National Face
TVK is currently focused on formalising its Tamil Nadu coalition, whose name and organisational structure have not yet been announced.
- Alliance meeting
- Scheduled for September 9 at the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam office.
- Main agenda
- Formalise the alliance, announce its name and discuss a coordination committee and common minimum programme.
- Congress position
- Rahul Gandhi should be the face of the INDIA alliance in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- Congress view of Vijay
- Vijay should focus on carrying out his responsibilities as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
- Earlier meeting
- The coalition parties met at a hotel in Kovalam on July 1, but no formal alliance was announced.
- Left parties
- The CPI and CPI(M) support the government from outside and have not joined its Cabinet.
- Confirmed participation
- MDMK leader Vaiko confirmed that he would attend the September 9 meeting.
