Tensions have surfaced within the Congress in Tamil Nadu over the question of a prime ministerial candidate, after senior leaders traded sharp remarks in public.
Former Tamil Nadu Congress president Selva Perunthagai questioned the party’s alliance with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), arguing that coalition partners should openly accept Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate. He said there was little point in remaining in an alliance if partners did not agree on this.
Rajya Sabha MP Praveen Chakravarthy hit back, asking what standing Selva Perunthagai had to speak on alliance matters. Chakravarthy said there was no confusion within the “secular social justice victory alliance” led by Chief Minister Vijay, and claimed the Congress had gained respect and political recognition by sharing power in Tamil Nadu.
Responding to the criticism, Selva Perunthagai said he was speaking as a Congress worker who wanted Rahul Gandhi as prime minister, and accused his detractors of siding with those projecting Chief Minister Vijay as the PM candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
The issue has been simmering amid TVK leaders and functionaries talking up Vijay as a PM contender, even as Congress leaders in the state have reiterated that Rahul Gandhi is their choice. Earlier, Congress minister Rajeshkumar had also warned of resignations if TVK did not accept Rahul as the PM candidate, before both sides held talks and reached a compromise.
