Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Congress Backs Rahul Gandhi Over Vijay for 2029 PM
Congress and the TVK are political groups in Tamil Nadu with different ideas about who should become prime minister in 2029.
TVK leaders have supported their chief, Vijay, as a possible national leader.
Congress MLA Tharahai Cuthbert said Congress will support Rahul Gandhi instead.
She suggested that TVK members support Vijay partly because of his background in the film industry.
A TVK minister said India’s top constitutional office should be held by someone from Tamil Nadu.
The BJP questioned why Congress still supports the TVK-led government while the parties disagree.
Cuthbert was also moved to a different place in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Congress ended its alliance with the DMK after the 2026 state election and later supported the TVK-led government with other parties.
Congress MLA Tharahai Cuthbert rejected TVK’s projection of Vijay as a possible prime ministerial candidate in 2029.
Cuthbert said Congress leaders had firmly decided to support Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi.
TVK leaders have repeatedly presented Vijay as a possible national leader, while Aadhav Arjuna backed a Tamil Nadu leader for the top constitutional office.
The BJP criticized Congress for remaining part of the TVK-led government despite differing positions on the 2029 prime ministerial contest.
Cuthbert’s move to the Opposition front row followed speculation about tensions between Congress and TVK after their post-2026 election realignment.
- Who
- Congress MLA Tharahai Cuthbert, TVK chief Vijay, Rahul Gandhi, TVK leaders, and the BJP are central to the dispute.
- What
- Congress rejected TVK’s projection of Vijay as a possible 2029 prime ministerial candidate and reaffirmed support for Rahul Gandhi.
- When
- The latest rejection was reported on Wednesday; related Assembly changes occurred on August 31, and the dispute concerns the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- Where
- The statements and political developments concern Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
- Why
- The disagreement reflects differing positions over the 2029 prime ministerial candidate and tensions following Congress’s support for the TVK-led government.
Congress and Rahul Gandhi supporters
TVK and Vijay supporters
Preferred 2029 prime ministerial candidate
Congress and Rahul Gandhi supporters
Congress says its leaders have firmly chosen Rahul Gandhi for the top post in 2029.
TVK and Vijay supporters
TVK leaders have presented party chief Vijay as a possible national leader and prime ministerial contender.
Basis for Vijay’s projection
Congress and Rahul Gandhi supporters
Tharahai Cuthbert said TVK legislators’ support for Vijay was influenced by the party’s roots in the film industry and fan culture.
TVK and Vijay supporters
TVK leaders have publicly promoted Vijay’s national leadership potential, including the view that a leader from Tamil Nadu should hold the country’s top constitutional office.
Congress’s role in the TVK government
Congress and Rahul Gandhi supporters
Congress continues supporting the TVK-led government, reportedly on the condition that communal forces be kept out.
TVK and Vijay supporters
The BJP argues that Congress’s participation is inconsistent with TVK leaders’ support for Vijay over Rahul Gandhi.
- Congress position
- Congress leaders have decided to support Rahul Gandhi for prime minister in 2029.
- TVK position
- TVK leaders have repeatedly projected Vijay as a possible national leader.
- TVK minister’s statement
- Aadhav Arjuna said India’s top constitutional office should be held by a leader from Tamil Nadu.
- BJP criticism
- BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan questioned Congress’s continued participation in the TVK-led government.
- Assembly development
- On August 31, Tharahai Cuthbert was moved from the section for TVK MLAs to the front row of the Opposition benches.
- Post-election alignment
- After the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and supported the TVK-led government with VCK, IUML, CPI and CPI(M).