TVK MLA Predicts Vijay Could Become PM in 2029, Says Rahul Gandhi Will Play Key Role

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has reiterated its claim that party chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay should be the alliance’s.

Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, countering Congress’ assertion that Vijay has agreed to back Rahul Gandhi for the top post.

TVK MLA Kanimozhi on Wednesday said Vijay remains the party’s choice for Prime Minister and claimed that the decision on the country’s next Prime Minister would ultimately be influenced by Tamil Nadu rather than Delhi.

“Vijay is the PM candidate for 2029. Delhi will not decide who will be the PM. Tamil Nadu will decide. There will be some magic in 2029. Rahul Gandhi himself will make Vijay the Prime Minister,” she said.

What Congress Claimed

The statement comes days after Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Tharahai Cuthbert claimed that Vijay had decided to support Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the alliance’s Prime Ministerial candidate.

Cuthbert dismissed speculation about a leadership dispute between Congress and TVK, saying that projections of Vijay as a potential contender for the Prime Minister’s post were largely driven by enthusiasm among TVK workers and did not reflect the party leadership’s official position.

“The CM has chosen Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate. That is how he is proceeding,” she told reporters on Monday.

TVK’s Vijay Pitch Adds To Alliance Tensions

The disagreement over the Prime Ministerial candidate has brought renewed attention to the power dynamics within the alliance ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Cuthbert’s remarks followed comments by Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar, who said Congress ministers in the state Cabinet would resign if TVK refused to support Rahul Gandhi for Prime Minister.

Speaking at an event in Kanyakumari on Saturday, Kumar said Rahul Gandhi would become Prime Minister in 2029.

His remarks came shortly after TVK leaders stepped up their calls for Vijay to take on a larger role at the national level. TVK PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna had previously argued that the country’s top constitutional office should be held by a leader from Tamil Nadu.

Vijay vs Rahul Gandhi

The competing claims have raised questions about the alliance’s future leadership strategy and whether Congress and TVK can reach an agreement on a potential Prime Ministerial face before the 2029 polls.

Vijay and Rahul Gandhi had appeared to share close political ties following the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. After the election, Vijay thanked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and described Rahul Gandhi as his “brother”, while acknowledging Congress’ support for his government.

TVK was launched in 2024 and, according to the figures cited by the party, won 108 of the 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in its first election. It subsequently formed the government with support from Congress and other alliance partners.

The latest exchange, however, highlights growing differences over who could lead the alliance at the national level in 2029, with both Vijay and Rahul Gandhi now being projected by different sections of the alliance for the Prime Minister’s post.