The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has sought to play down the growing political controversy over suggestions that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay could be projected as the Opposition’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The clarification comes at a time when differences between the TVK and its alliance partner Congress have become increasingly visible. While several TVK leaders have publicly backed Vijay for a national role, Congress has maintained that Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, should remain the alliance’s choice for the prime ministerial post.
Addressing reporters in Chennai on Saturday during an event marking freedom fighter VO Chidambaram Pillai’s 155th birth anniversary, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan Arumugam said the remarks backing Vijay were not an official decision of the party. He clarified, “It was said out of affection and is not an official announcement.”
The statement appears aimed at easing tensions within the ruling alliance after comments by TVK leaders and ministers supporting Vijay’s potential candidature triggered a reaction from Congress.
Congress Objects To Vijay As PM Candidate
The disagreement centres on who could lead the alliance at the national level if the Opposition seeks to project a prime ministerial face for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Several TVK legislators and ministers have reportedly advocated Vijay as the potential candidate. Congress, however, has opposed what it views as an attempt to elevate Vijay over Rahul Gandhi. The Congress has described the TVK push as reflecting a “fan mindset”, while insisting on Gandhi’s continued position as its preferred prime ministerial candidate.
The political equation is particularly significant because TVK emerged as the largest party in the Tamil Nadu government after the 2026 Assembly elections but did not secure a simple majority on its own.
TVK Relies On Alliance Partners
The TVK reportedly won 108 seats in the Assembly elections and currently depends on support from Congress, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Left parties to sustain its government.
Congress was given two ministerial positions in the TVK-led government. P Viswanathan was allocated the Higher Education portfolio, while S Rajesh Kumar was given Tourism and Tourism Development Corporation responsibilities.
Both Congress ministers have reportedly warned that they could leave the government if the TVK does not support Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate.
TVK Calls Coordination Meeting
Amid the escalating differences, the TVK has scheduled a coordination meeting with its alliance partners for September 9. The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the parties to discuss the growing disagreement over the alliance’s political direction and leadership.
The TVK had previously organised a similar coordination meeting in July at a private hotel in Kovalam.
At the same time, senior TVK leaders N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, R Nirmal Kumar and Rajmohan have reportedly been reaching out to Left parties and encouraging them to join the government.
Tamil Nadu Minister Dr KG Arunraj defended the alliance structure while speaking to ANI, saying, “This is a democratic and secular alliance. We want to hear the alliance partners’ views. We seek their continued cooperation and support.”
The latest clarification from the TVK indicates that the party is attempting to prevent comments favouring Vijay’s national political ambitions from turning into a formal alliance dispute. However, with the September 9 coordination meeting approaching, the disagreement over the 2029 prime ministerial candidate could remain a major test for the TVK-Congress partnership.
