TVK MLA Says Rahul Gandhi Will Help Vijay Reach PM’s Chair in 2029

Tamil Nadu’s political landscape has witnessed a fresh round of debate over the possible Prime Ministerial face for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh made a strong prediction about party chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

Speaking to reporters, Kanimozhi said she was confident that Vijay would emerge as a contender for the Prime Minister’s post in 2029. She also suggested that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, rather than standing in Vijay’s way, would eventually help him reach the Prime Minister’s position.

Her comments have added another layer to the growing discussion surrounding the political ambitions of Vijay and the relationship between TVK and Congress.

‘You Will See What Happens in 2029’

Kanimozhi expressed confidence that major political changes would take place when the country votes in the 2029 general election. According to her, Vijay’s political rise would not stop at the Chief Minister’s post.

She pointed to her earlier prediction about Vijay’s political future as evidence for her confidence. Kanimozhi recalled that she had said in 2025 that Vijay would become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. With Vijay now holding the state’s top political office, she said she was equally confident about her prediction concerning 2029.

The MLA argued that the political developments of the coming years could bring an unexpected change at the national level.

Her statement came in response to questions about the disagreement between TVK and Congress over who should be projected as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha election.

Rahul Gandhi’s Role in Vijay’s Political Journey

Kanimozhi made a particularly striking claim while discussing Rahul Gandhi. She said that Gandhi had played a role in Vijay reaching the Chief Minister’s chair and suggested that he would similarly support Vijay’s move towards the Prime Minister’s post.

Her remarks indicate that TVK leaders do not necessarily see Rahul Gandhi and Vijay as permanent political rivals. Instead, Kanimozhi presented a scenario in which Gandhi could ultimately support Vijay’s national political ambitions.

The statement is significant because Congress leaders have publicly maintained a different position regarding the Prime Ministerial candidate for the next general election.

‘Vijay for PM’ Campaign Creates Political Tension

The latest controversy began after posters projecting Vijay as the country’s future Prime Minister appeared in parts of Tamil Nadu. The posters described him as the “Tomorrow’s PM”.

The campaign was reportedly linked to TVK functionary Sudhakar, who had joined Vijay’s party after leaving the AIADMK.

Following the appearance of the posters, several TVK leaders openly backed the idea of Vijay playing a larger role in national politics.

TVK PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna argued that the country’s highest constitutional office should be held by a leader from Tamil Nadu. Senior TVK leader K A Sengottaiyan also expressed confidence in Vijay’s ability to expand his political influence beyond the state.

A private media survey has further contributed to the discussion by placing Vijay among the preferred choices for Prime Minister in 2029. In that survey, Vijay was ranked third, behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

Congress Takes a Different Position

The growing “Vijay for PM” campaign has not been welcomed by sections of Congress. The two parties are currently part of the ruling arrangement in Tamil Nadu, but differences over the 2029 Prime Ministerial question have created visible political tension.

Congress leaders have made it clear that Rahul Gandhi remains the party’s preferred choice for the Prime Ministerial position.

Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister and Congress leader S Rajesh Kumar has gone a step further, warning that the Congress ministers could leave the state cabinet if TVK does not support Rahul Gandhi for the 2029 general election.

Congress state president and MP B Manickam Tagore has also criticised the manner in which some TVK leaders are promoting Vijay. He described the approach as resembling a fan-club style of politics.

These statements have raised questions about how the TVK-Congress relationship could develop as the 2029 election approaches.

A Bigger National Ambition for Vijay?

Vijay entered electoral politics after building a major public following through his film career and subsequently established TVK as a political force. His party is now in power in Tamil Nadu, making the question of his future political ambitions particularly significant.

For now, the 2029 Lok Sabha election remains several years away. There is also considerable time for political alliances, leadership equations and election strategies to change.

However, Kanimozhi Santhosh’s latest remarks show that at least some TVK leaders are already thinking beyond Tamil Nadu and envisioning Vijay in a national leadership role.

Her prediction that Rahul Gandhi could eventually help Vijay occupy the Prime Minister’s chair has added an unexpected dimension to the ongoing debate.

Whether the two parties can maintain their current political arrangement while having different views about the 2029 Prime Ministerial race will be closely watched. For the moment, Kanimozhi has made her position clear: she believes the next major chapter in Vijay’s political career could take him from the Chief Minister’s office in Tamil Nadu to the national political stage in 2029.