Stories
TVK to Meet Allies Amid PM Pitch for Vijay, Congress Differences
- •Tamil Nadu's ruling TVK will meet allies on September 9 amid growing differences with Congress over projecting Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay as the Opposition's prime ministerial face for 2029.
- •TVK ministers Aadhav Arjuna, Raj Mohan, and R Nirmal Kumar have reached out to CPI(M), CPI, and MDMK for the meeting; it's unclear if Congress is invited.
- •MDMK chief Vaiko confirmed attendance but backed Rahul Gandhi for PM, urging Vijay to rein in ministers pushing the campaign.
- •Several TVK legislators, including Kanimozhi and I Thahira, publicly endorsed Vijay for Prime Minister, predicting a shift in national politics.
- •Congress maintains Rahul Gandhi is its 2029 PM candidate, dismissing the TVK push as a "fan mindset" and a diversionary tactic.
Key Questions Answered
The TVK is meeting its allies on September 9 amid growing differences with the Congress over calls within the party to project Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay as the Opposition's prime ministerial face for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The agenda has not been disclosed, but it comes against the backdrop of tensions over who should lead the Opposition in the 2029 polls.
Kavundampalayam MLA Kanimozhi, Ranipet MLA I Thahira, and Energy Resources and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar are among the TVK leaders who have publicly endorsed Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for the Prime Minister's post in 2029.
The Congress maintains that Rahul Gandhi continues to be its choice for the 2029 prime ministerial candidate, despite calls within the TVK to back Vijay. Congress Legislature Party leader Tharahai Cuthbert dismissed the push for Vijay as being driven by a “fan mindset” among some TVK legislators.
