‘Vijay For PM’ Chorus Grows: Did TVK Chief Ever Promise To Back Rahul Gandhi’s Prime Minister Bid?

News india ‘Vijay For PM’ Chorus Grows: Did TVK Chief Ever Promise To Back Rahul Gandhi’s Prime Minister Bid?Last Updated:September 01, 2026, 18:49 ISTAmid the row, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Tharahai C said C Joseph Vijay had unequivocally endorsed Rahul Gandhi as the alliance’s prime ministerial candidate.Rapid ReadSummarized by AI.+Got Question about the News?Rahul Gandhi had also travelled to Chennai to attend Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony and shared the dais with the TVK chief. (Photo: PTI file)A growing unease has emerged in the alliance between Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and Congress after some leaders of Vijay’s party floated the idea of projecting the TVK chief as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.The suggestion, however, has not gone down well with Congress, which has been projecting Rahul Gandhi as its preferred PM face.Recommended StoriesVijay Gifts His Rs 40K Dior Sunglasses To Elderly Woman In Tamil Nadu's Salem | Watch'Some Magic Will Happen': TVK MLA Says Rahul Gandhi Will Make Vijay PM In 2029'If Women Are Insulted, Law Will Take Action': Vijay Amid Row Over Remarks On TrishaRahul Gandhi Has One Big Problem Before 2029: Can He Unite The Opposition?Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Tharahai C said C Joseph Vijay had unequivocally endorsed Rahul Gandhi as the alliance’s prime ministerial candidate. He also dismissed speculation of a leadership rift between TVK and Congress, saying that localised calls to project Vijay for the top post reflected cadre enthusiasm rather than the official position of the party leadership.Cuthbert’s clarification came after Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar said that both Congress ministers would resign if TVK failed to back Rahul Gandhi in the 2029 polls.The issue also drew a response from the DMK, with party leader T K S Elangovan backing Congress’s position on projecting Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate over Vijay.“Congress is a major political party in the country and has ruled the nation for years. How can TVK want to project Vijay as the Prime Ministerial candidate? What the Congress leadership says is right," Elangovan said.Did Vijay Ever Promise To Back Rahul Gandhi’s PM Bid?Despite the claims surrounding the alliance, Vijay has not made any public promise or official statement committing to support Rahul Gandhi’s potential bid for prime minister.When Congress announced its alliance with TVK in May following the Tamil Nadu polls, it said the partnership was “not only for the formation of this government, but also for future elections to the local body organisations, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha".Rahul Gandhi had also travelled to Chennai to attend Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony and shared the dais with the TVK chief.Tamil Nadu has chosen.A new generation. A new voice. A new imagination.My good wishes to Thiru Vijay – may he fulfil the hopes of the people of Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/sp8FsMLBOb— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 10, 2026However, Vijay has not publicly commented on the ongoing debate over who should be projected as the alliance’s prime ministerial candidate.Interestingly, several opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar, were reportedly not in favour Rahul Gandhi as the INDI bloc’s PM face in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. While Mamata’s Trinamool Congress contested on its own in West Bengal, Nitish Kumar later walked away and joined hands with the BJP-led NDA.But, Vijay has so far made no personal declaration about his national political ambitions or indicated that he wants to be projected as a prime ministerial candidate in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.The recent calls from some TVK leaders to project Vijay for the top post, therefore, appear to be separate from any formal declaration by the party chief himself.News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismQuick AnswersPowered byAsk News18Vijay has not made any personal declarations regarding his national political ambitions, nor has he indicated whether he wants to be projected as a prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.Powered byAsk News18About the AuthorSaurabh VermaChief Sub-EditorSaurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg...Read MoreLocation : First Published:September 01, 2026, 18:05 ISTDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Loading comments...Read More