Congress MPs have reportedly urged AICC general secretary K C Venugopal to ensure that talks are held on bringing the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (Thaveka) into the INDIA alliance during Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming visit to Chennai.
The push comes as the party rolls out its “Mission 2029” plan aimed at strengthening the Congress in Tamil Nadu and positioning Rahul Gandhi for the 2029 Lok Sabha election. As part of this effort, a 10-day training camp for district-level leaders is under way in Mamallapuram, where AICC secretary Selvakumar addressed a session.
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to attend the camp’s concluding day on August 1, and his political meetings during the trip have drawn attention. Reports suggest a meeting between Chief Minister Vijay and Rahul Gandhi in Chennai, which Congress leaders believe could reshape the political narrative in both Tamil Nadu and at the national level.
The two leaders have had prior interactions, including Rahul’s presence at Vijay’s swearing-in and a subsequent dinner at Rahul’s residence in Delhi. Congress leaders also point to Thaveka’s statement condemning Rahul’s arrest during a students’ protest in Delhi over the NEET issue as a sign of growing proximity.
According to the report, some Congress MPs want Rahul to formally discuss with Vijay the next stage of coordination for local body and Lok Sabha elections, including the alliance’s name, the coordinator’s post, and Thaveka’s entry into the INDIA bloc. They have reportedly asked Venugopal to facilitate the necessary arrangements.
