Rift Emerges in Tamil Nadu Ruling Alliance Over PM Candidate for 2029 Lok Sabha Polls

Chennai: A rift has emerged within the ruling alliance led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, with the Congress warning that its ministers could collectively resign from the state Cabinet if TVK refuses to recognise Rahul Gandhi as its choice for prime minister in the 2029 general election. Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister and Congress leader S Rajesh Kumar made the strong statement, putting the Vijay government in a difficult position.

Rajesh Kumar said the two Congress ministers in the Cabinet would resign from their posts if TVK did not support Rahul Gandhi in the 2029 Lok Sabha election. He said the party was not prepared to compromise on the issue and that Rahul Gandhi would be the only prime ministerial candidate backed by the Congress in the Lok Sabha election.

The Congress ultimatum comes amid the TVK’s persistent efforts to project Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay as the next prime minister. In the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) came to power after winning 108 seats. The Vijay government was subsequently formed with the support of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Congress, CPI and CPI(M). However, soon after forming the government, the TVK stepped up its campaign projecting Vijay as the country’s prime minister in 2029. The issue has gained further attention after a survey placed Vijay among the preferred candidates for PM in 2029, behind PM Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

Tamil Nadu Congress leaders have sharply criticised the TVK’s efforts to project Vijay for the prime ministerial post. State Congress president and MP B Manickam Tagore mocked the TVK leaders, saying they still function more like a film fan club than a political party. He said people operating in a fan-club mindset cannot be silenced suddenly.

The open confrontation between key partners in the ruling alliance over the prime ministerial post within months of coming to power has triggered discussions in Tamil Nadu politics.