TVK backs Vijay for Prime Minister in 2029; Congress warns of fallout if Rahul Gandhi is not accepted as PM candidate

CHENNAI: The Congress has opposed the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)'s move to project its leader C Joseph Vijay as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha election. The Congress has warned that its ministers will resign from the Tamil Nadu Cabinet if Rahul Gandhi is not accepted as the prime ministerial candidate.

Congress leader and Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan said Rahul Gandhi is the party's prime ministerial candidate. Minister Rajesh Kumar warned that the party's two ministers would quit the Tamil Nadu Cabinet if the TVK refuses to back Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate.

The disagreement within the ruling alliance began after India Today-CVoter released its ‘Mood of the Nation’ survey. According to the survey, Vijay ranked third in public support for the post of prime minister in the next Lok Sabha election, behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Vijay received support from around 9% to 9.2% of respondents.

Following the release of the survey, TVK leaders began efforts to project Vijay as a national leader. Posters supporting Vijay as a prime ministerial candidate also appeared in several parts of Tamil Nadu, including Thoothukudi. The developments have now led to a warning from the Congress, adding to tensions within the alliance.