Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Allies Clash Over Rahul Gandhi’s 2029 PM Candidacy
A Tamil Nadu minister from the Congress party said Rahul Gandhi should be the party’s candidate to become prime minister in 2029.
He said there should be no confusion about the Congress position.
He did not want to discuss whether Vijay should be a deputy prime minister candidate.
Vijay leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, or TVK, which governs Tamil Nadu with Congress support.
Another TVK minister said the party remained firmly behind Vijay.
The two parties say their alliance is working, even though they have different ideas about national leadership.
Congress has already started preparing for the next parliamentary election.
Viswanathan also mentioned that other opposition parties could choose leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar or Chandrababu Naidu.
Tamil Nadu minister P Viswanathan said Rahul Gandhi will be the Congress prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 elections.
Viswanathan declined to comment on whether Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader Vijay should be projected as deputy prime ministerial candidate.
He said the Congress–Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam alliance had no problem and that Congress activities were strong across Tamil Nadu.
Viswanathan said Congress had begun preparing for the 2029 parliamentary elections and identified other opposition leaders who could be nominated by their parties.
TVK minister Sengottaiyan reiterated that the party remained clear about projecting its leader and Chief Minister Vijay.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu minister P Viswanathan, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and TVK minister Sengottaiyan are the central figures mentioned.
- What
- Viswanathan endorsed Rahul Gandhi as the Congress prime ministerial candidate for 2029, while Sengottaiyan reiterated TVK’s support for Vijay’s leadership.
- When
- The statements were made on Friday; the 2029 parliamentary elections are the stated timeframe.
- Where
- Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The comments addressed competing leadership positions within the Congress–TVK alliance and preparations for the 2029 election.
Congress position
TVK position
2029 prime ministerial candidate
Congress position
Congress minister P Viswanathan said Rahul Gandhi is certain to be the Congress candidate and that there is no room for ambiguity.
TVK position
TVK minister Sengottaiyan reiterated that the party is clear about its leader Vijay, responding to questions about projecting him for national office.
Role of Vijay
Congress position
Viswanathan declined to comment on the question of Vijay being a deputy prime ministerial candidate and emphasized Rahul Gandhi’s candidacy.
TVK position
Sengottaiyan said Tamil Nadu had voted with faith in Vijay and highlighted his government’s steps to protect residents and implement public schemes.
Alliance relationship
Congress position
Viswanathan said there was no problem between Congress and TVK and described the Congress state unit as active and healthy.
TVK position
TVK’s continued emphasis on Vijay’s leadership indicates that the alliance partners retain distinct positions on leadership, although Sengottaiyan did not describe a dispute.
- Congress candidate
- P Viswanathan said Rahul Gandhi will be the Congress prime ministerial candidate in 2029.
- TVK position
- TVK minister Sengottaiyan reiterated the party’s clear support for its leader, Chief Minister Vijay.
- Government
- Viswanathan is one of two Congress MLAs given ministerial positions in the TVK-led Tamil Nadu government.
- Election preparation
- Viswanathan said Congress had begun work because roughly two and a half years remained before the parliamentary elections.
- Alliance status
- Viswanathan said there was no problem between Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and Congress.
- Other possible candidates
- Viswanathan said Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar and Chandrababu Naidu could be nominated by their respective parties.