Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Vijay’s 2029 PM Push Creates Unease for Rahul Gandhi
Vijay is a famous actor who became a politician and is now Tamil Nadu’s chief minister.
Some leaders in his party want him to become India’s prime minister in 2029.
This idea makes the Congress party uncomfortable because it may want Rahul Gandhi to lead the Opposition.
Vijay’s party and the Congress currently work together in Tamil Nadu.
However, Vijay’s party has not officially announced that he is its prime ministerial candidate.
Analysts say a prime minister needs the support of at least 272 lawmakers.
They also say Vijay would need to perform well as chief minister and win many seats.
The issue could create disagreements, although analysts do not necessarily expect the alliance to collapse.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leaders are publicly promoting Vijay as a possible 2029 prime ministerial candidate.
The campaign has unsettled the Congress, which supports the TVK-led Tamil Nadu government.
A TVK allies’ meeting on 9 September is expected to discuss the national pitch and tensions with Left parties.
Congress leaders say becoming prime minister requires support from at least 272 members of the 543-seat Lok Sabha.
Analysts say Vijay’s ambitions could complicate Rahul Gandhi’s prospects as the Opposition’s potential prime ministerial face.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leaders, Vijay, the Congress, Rahul Gandhi and other alliance partners.
- What
- TVK leaders are advocating Vijay as a possible prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
- When
- The campaign intensified around the TVK government’s 100-day mark in mid-August; an allies’ meeting is scheduled for 9 September, ahead of the 2029 election.
- Where
- The political dispute is centered in Tamil Nadu but concerns national politics and the prime minister’s position.
- Why
- TVK leaders want to expand Vijay’s political role nationally, while Congress leaders and analysts question whether he can secure the parliamentary support required to become prime minister.
TVK’s National Ambition
Congress’s Caution
Vijay as prime ministerial candidate
TVK’s National Ambition
TVK ministers and legislators say Vijay could lead national politics and have presented him as the party’s 2029 prime ministerial candidate.
Congress’s Caution
Congress leaders say party supporters may have their own ambitions, but becoming prime minister requires backing from at least 272 MPs.
Vijay’s national appeal
TVK’s National Ambition
TVK supporters argue that Vijay is widely known and that Tamil Nadu should have a major role in choosing the prime minister.
Congress’s Caution
Analysts say the proposal is premature and ambitious because Vijay’s national prospects depend on his performance as chief minister and his party’s election results.
Effect on the alliance
TVK’s National Ambition
TVK leaders are promoting their own leader even though Congress support helped the government form in Tamil Nadu.
Congress’s Caution
Analysts say disagreements over the prime ministerial face may not end the alliance, since opposition parties can cooperate despite limited ideological compatibility.
- TVK’s Assembly tally
- The article says TVK won 108 of Tamil Nadu’s 234 Assembly seats in its first election.
- Majority mark
- A majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly requires 118 seats.
- Government support
- Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and IUML support gave the TVK-led government a working majority, according to the article.
- Lok Sabha requirement
- A prime minister needs the support of at least 272 members in the 543-seat Lok Sabha.
- Opinion poll standing
- The India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation poll cited in the article gave Vijay about 9% support as the preferred next prime minister, compared with 27.1% for Rahul Gandhi and 48.7% for Narendra Modi.
- Congress representation
- Two Congress members serve as ministers in the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu cabinet.
- Upcoming meeting
- TVK has convened a meeting of its allies for 9 September.