TN-CONGRESS LEADERS MEET TN CM C JOSEPH VIJAY AT SECRETARIAT

On Monday, Tamil Nadu Congress leaders B Manickam Tagore and Praveen Chakravarthy met Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay at the Secretariat in Chennai. This meeting is significant as it follows a dispute within the state's political alliance. The Congress, which secured five seats under the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, severed ties with the DMK and formed an alliance with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after the Assembly elections were announced on May 4. The alliance requires 118 signatures to form the government.

The tension arose when TVK members began suggesting that C Joseph Vijay would be the next prime ministerial candidate, a claim that directly contradicted the Congress's stance that Rahul Gandhi would lead the party. Congress minister S Rajesh Kumar and MLA P Viswanathan threatened to resign if TVK did not back Rahul Gandhi as their prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 elections.

Rajesh Kumar serves as the tourism minister and MLA from Killiyoor, while Viswanathan is the higher education minister and MLA from Madurai district.

The conflict intensified following TVK members' assertions that Vijay would be the next PM, which was met with strong support at events in Madurai. Human resources and management minister D Sarath Kumar echoed these sentiments in the Assembly, declaring that Vijay, their leader, was their future prime minister. On August 29, Rajesh Kumar reiterated his stance, insisting that if TVK did not accept their demand, both Congress ministers would step down.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), once the Congress's partner, supported the Congress's position, questioning TVK's logic in naming Vijay for the prime ministerial role. DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan emphasized that the Congress is a major party in India, with a history of ruling the nation, and thus, TVK's desire to promote Vijay is unjustified.

However, Congress leader S Thirunavukkarasu denied any dispute, stating that the issue was merely an expression of affection and that the Congress leadership is correct. Both TVK and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have the support of other parties, including Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Indian Union Muslim League, and the Communist parties, in their respective coalitions.