Archive · 24 Aug 2026
TVK Promotes Vijay as Prime Minister Candidate Across Tamil Nadu
Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam held meetings across Tamil Nadu to talk about its first 100 days in government.
Several ministers said their leader, C. Joseph Vijay, could become India’s Prime Minister.
They said Vijay is popular on social media across the country.
Congress leaders, whose party supports the TVK government, disagreed with this idea.
They said Rahul Gandhi should be the Prime Ministerial candidate.
Congress also said Vijay should wait before deciding on a national political strategy.
The two parties nevertheless expect their alliance to perform strongly in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The debate shows that the coalition parties have different views about who should lead nationally.
Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam held public meetings across Tamil Nadu to highlight its first 100 days in power.
Several TVK ministers said party leader C. Joseph Vijay could become India’s future Prime Minister.
The ministers cited Vijay’s nationwide social-media following and popularity beyond Tamil Nadu.
Congress leaders rejected Vijay as the alliance’s Prime Ministerial candidate and backed Rahul Gandhi instead.
Congress leaders said the TVK-Congress alliance would sweep Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the Lok Sabha elections.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam ministers and leaders, C. Joseph Vijay, and Congress leaders including B. Manick Tagore and S. Jothimani.
- What
- TVK used district public meetings to promote its 100-day record and ministers’ claims that Vijay could become Prime Minister.
- When
- Saturday evening; the meetings followed the government’s first 100 days.
- Where
- Public meetings were held across Tamil Nadu, including Tiruppur and Sivakasi.
- Why
- TVK said it wanted to take its achievements to the people and promote Vijay’s national popularity; Congress challenged its Prime Ministerial claims.
TVK Ministers’ Position
Congress Leaders’ Position
Prime Ministerial candidate
TVK Ministers’ Position
Several TVK ministers said C. Joseph Vijay would be India’s future Prime Minister and could capture Delhi.
Congress Leaders’ Position
Congress leaders said Rahul Gandhi is the Prime Ministerial candidate and that Congress would not accept Vijay for that role.
Vijay’s national support
TVK Ministers’ Position
TVK ministers pointed to Vijay’s social-media following and said he was supported throughout India, including in northern states.
Congress Leaders’ Position
Congress leader B. Manick Tagore said the ministers were speaking with the mindset of fans and urged Vijay to take time before deciding on a national strategy.
Alliance prospects
TVK Ministers’ Position
TVK ministers promoted the party’s achievements and Vijay’s leadership during meetings across Tamil Nadu.
Congress Leaders’ Position
Congress leaders said the TVK government depended on Congress support and predicted that the alliance would sweep Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the Lok Sabha elections.
- Party
- Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)
- Campaign focus
- The government’s first 100 days
- Leader promoted
- C. Joseph Vijay
- TVK claim
- Vijay has support and influence beyond Tamil Nadu and could become Prime Minister
- Congress nominee
- Congress leaders backed Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate
- Alliance
- TVK governs with support from Congress
- Election reference
- The parties discussed strategy for the Lok Sabha elections