Rahul vs Vijay: Can TVK chief do what Kejriwal could not?
Tensions are rising between Tamil Nadu's ruling TVK party and its coalition partner, Congress, over the 2029 Prime Ministerial candidate. The debate centers on whether TVK leader Vijay should pursue national ambitions or focus on his state-level mandate.
Why it matters
The conflict tests the stability of new political coalitions in India and the potential for regional leaders to challenge established national political figures.
The honeymoon period between Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and its coalition partner, the Congress, appears to be over. Barely months after the two parties came together to form the government, they are already sparring over a question that is ostensibly about the 2029 Lok Sabha election: Who should be the opposition's prime ministerial face - Rahul Gandhi or Vijay?What began as statements and counter-statements between the two party leaders has quickly acquired a sharper political edge.TVK PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna pitched Vijay as a potential national leader, arguing that the country's highest political office should go to a leader from Tamil Nadu. On the other hand, state minister S Rajesh Kumar said Congress ministers in the Tamil Nadu cabinet would resign if TVK did not support Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate in 2029.The confrontation spilled into the assembly as well.
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