The continued projection of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as the “next Prime Minister”, not only by the party’s supporters and its ecosystem, but also by its elected representatives could upset its relationship with its coalition partner, the Congress.
While PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna suggested on the floor of the Assembly that the country also needs a Prime Minister to emerge from South India, TVK Kavundampalayam MLA, Kanimozhi Santhosh on Wednesday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would help Mr. Vijay to become the Prime Minister in 2029.
The Congress leaders, on their part, including TNCC president Manickam Tagore and Tourism minister S. Rajeshkumar, have reacted strongly against these statements. The persistence of the TVK’s media ecosystem to produce “Vijay is the next PM” has indeed muddled waters.
A first-time Congress MP said TVK cadres continued to behave like “fans” and felt they see Mr. Vijay, not as a politician, but still as an actor.
“Just as Mr. Vijay did several roles in movies, they want him to don many roles as a politician. They have seen him as Chief Minister…and now they want to see him as Prime Minister. It is not healthy. The Congress will quit the alliance 200% if TVK doesn’t project Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the alliance,” the M.P. claimed.
Another Congress M.P., who enjoys the confidence of Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, tried to downplay it. “It is the prerogative of the TVK cadre to want their leader as the Prime Minister. But, I don’t attach too much importance to these statements. We, in the Congress party, are not taking it too seriously,” the MP said.
Anand Srinivasan, chairman of Tamil Nadu PCC Media and Communication Department, said two-and-a-half years is a long time in politics.
“A week is a long time in politics. There is still 152 weeks left for the election. We can talk about it in the 150th week. DMK and BJP are working together to break the TVK-Congress-VCK alliance. Did anyone talk about growth or PM’s appeal with respect to buying gold?” he asked.
Published – September 03, 2026 05:30 am IST
