Archive · 2 Sep 2026
TVK’s Vijay-for-PM Push Meets Congress Resistance Ahead of 2029
Some TVK lawmakers want Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay to become India’s Prime Minister in 2029.
One TVK legislator said Vijay is the party’s candidate for that election.
She also said Rahul Gandhi would support Vijay.
Congress leaders disagreed and said Rahul Gandhi remains their choice for Prime Minister.
Congress said the pro-Vijay comments reflect the excitement of newer lawmakers.
A TVK minister said there is no disagreement between TVK and Congress.
Another political leader, Vaiko, asked TVK ministers not to make more statements about Vijay becoming Prime Minister.
Vijay and his party headquarters have not officially responded.
TVK legislator Kanimozhi declared Vijay the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Kanimozhi predicted Vijay would transform national politics and said Rahul Gandhi would support his bid.
Congress leader Tharahai Cuthbert reaffirmed Rahul Gandhi as the party and alliance’s 2029 Prime Ministerial candidate.
TVK ministers said there was no disagreement with Congress, while MDMK leader Vaiko urged them to stop making such statements.
Vijay and TVK headquarters have not formally commented, and TVK has not officially joined the INDIA bloc.
- Who
- TVK lawmakers, Congress leaders, Chief Minister Vijay, Rahul Gandhi and MDMK leader Vaiko.
- What
- TVK legislators promoted Vijay as a possible 2029 Prime Ministerial candidate, while Congress reaffirmed Rahul Gandhi as its choice.
- When
- The dispute was reported on Wednesday, September 2, concerning the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- Where
- The statements were made publicly outside the Tamil Nadu Assembly and elsewhere in Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- TVK lawmakers are seeking a national role for Vijay, while Congress says the alliance’s previously stated choice is Rahul Gandhi.
TVK Proponents
Congress Position
2029 Prime Ministerial candidate
TVK Proponents
TVK legislators, including Kanimozhi and I Thahira, said Vijay should be the Prime Ministerial candidate and predicted he would become Prime Minister.
Congress Position
Congress said Rahul Gandhi remains its unequivocal choice and that individual TVK lawmakers’ projections do not represent the agreed leadership strategy.
Meaning of the statements
TVK Proponents
TVK leaders said the public support reflects Tamil Nadu’s desire to produce the country’s Prime Minister and that Vijay’s rise is possible after his reported state-level success.
Congress Position
Congress described the pro-Vijay campaign as a ‘fan mindset’ or enthusiasm from newer legislators, while saying it does not indicate disagreement within the alliance.
Alliance unity
TVK Proponents
TVK Energy Resources and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar said there was no discord with Congress and that the issue need not be debated yet.
Congress Position
Congress leaders maintained that the previously stated position—Rahul Gandhi as the alliance’s intended candidate—remains clear.
- Proposed TVK candidate
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay
- Election discussed
- 2029 Lok Sabha elections
- Congress candidate
- Rahul Gandhi
- TVK position
- Some TVK legislators said Vijay should become Prime Minister and described him as the party’s candidate.
- Congress response
- Congress Legislature Party leader Tharahai Cuthbert said Rahul Gandhi remains the party and alliance’s intended candidate.
- Official status
- Vijay and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam headquarters had not formally commented.
- Alliance status
- The report said TVK had not officially joined the INDIA bloc, although Congress is part of the TVK government.