Congress Threatens Cabinet Exit If TVK Refuses to Back Rahul Gandhi for 2029 PM Post

A political rift has emerged between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and its Congress ally in Tamil Nadu over the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister and Congress leader S. Rajesh Kumar has warned that the two Congress ministers in Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s cabinet will resign if TVK refuses to support Rahul Gandhi as the alliance’s Prime Ministerial candidate. Kumar reiterated that Rahul Gandhi remains the Congress party’s preferred choice for the 2029 elections.

The warning comes amid growing efforts by TVK leaders and cadres to project Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as a potential national leader and possible Prime Ministerial candidate in 2029. The issue has created fresh strain within the ruling alliance, with Congress maintaining that it will not compromise on its support for Rahul Gandhi. The developments have triggered speculation over the future of the TVK-Congress partnership ahead of the next general election.