India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Contest for who could be India’s next PM intensifies, Kanimozhi Santhosh of TVK predicts Vijay’s rise
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh has predicted the rise of party chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay as the next Prime Minister of India.
TVK MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh predicts party chief Vijay could become India’s next PM after 2029, stating Rahul Gandhi will support him, despite Congress’s strong objections jeopardizing the alliance.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Kanimozhi said that she was confident Vijay would emerge as a contender for the PM’s post after the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. She also claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi himself would eventually support Vijay as a candidate for the top post.
“Wait till 2029, you will see who comes in and who goes out,” said Kanimozhi while responding to questions about Congress’ opposition to the TVK’s campaign projecting Vijay as a possible prime minister.
Kanimozhi also stated that Rahul Gandhi had a hand in Vijay becoming Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and would also support him for the post of Prime Minister of India.
Additionally, Kanimozhi mentioned her earlier prediction about Vijay rising to the top post. She said that she had stated that Vijay would become the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in 2026 and that prediction came true. Therefore, she was confident about her latest prediction for 2029.
How the Vijay vs Rahul Gandhi debate started
The debate surrounding Vijay and Rahul Gandhi started when posters portraying Vijay as “Tomorrow’s PM” appeared in parts of Tamil Nadu including Thoothukudi. The posters were put up by TVK functionary Sudhakar, who had switched over to Vijay’s party after leaving AIADMK.
Several senior TVK leaders supported the claim that Vijay would have a national political role.
TVK PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna stated that the country’s highest constitutional post should eventually be held by a leader from Tamil Nadu. Senior party leader KA Sengottaiyan also claimed that Vijay was garnering support beyond Tamil Nadu and had the potential to lead at the national level.
The speculation around Vijay receiving the post of Prime Minister of India was further fuelled after a private media survey put Vijay third among preferred choices for Prime Minister in 2029, just behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.
Congress’s objection
However, Congress has strongly objected to the campaign projecting Vijay as the Prime Minister of India in 2029.
Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have warned that the alliance could face serious trouble if TVK does not support Rahul Gandhi for the Prime Minister’s post.
Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar said that the Congress would not compromise on its position and indicated that the party’s two ministers in the state government would resign if TVK did not support Gandhi.
Congress state president and MP B Manickam Tagore also criticised the TVK leaders, accusing them of functioning in a “fan-club mode”.
With the confrontation opening up a larger political question as to whether TVK would project Vijay as their national leader in 2029 or eventually align themselves behind Rahul Gandhi, the next Lok Sabha election is yet far off.
The growing war of words between both camps suggests that they have started their battle towards the 2029 narrative.
