Tamil Nadu Congress Legislature Party leader Tharahai Cuthbert made the remarks amid a political debate triggered by Vijay’s third-place finish in the India Today Mood of the Nation survey in the race for the country’s preferred prime ministerial candidate.
Cuthbert said Vijay and Rahul Gandhi share a close relationship and pointed to Rahul Gandhi’s presence at Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony as an indication of their rapport.
The Congress leader also rejected speculation that her party was functioning under the influence of the TVK in Tamil Nadu. She said the Congress was an independent political force and was continuing to expand its organisational presence in the state.
The remarks come at a time when questions have been raised over the future of the Congress-TVK alliance, particularly after sections of the TVK began projecting Vijay as a potential national political leader following his strong showing in the Mood of the Nation survey.
The survey placed Prime Minister Narendra Modi first, Rahul Gandhi second and Vijay third among respondents when asked about their preferred choice for prime minister. Vijay’s position triggered discussions within Tamil Nadu political circles, with some of his supporters beginning to promote the idea of a larger national role for the TVK leader.
Against this backdrop, Cuthbert’s statement that Vijay supports Rahul Gandhi could help the Congress counter the perception that the TVK is positioning its leader against Rahul Gandhi for the top national post.
Seat change sparks speculation
Cuthbert’s comments also come amid speculation over a change in her seating position in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
After being appointed Congress Legislature Party leader, Cuthbert was moved to the front row of the Opposition benches. Her earlier seat had been located in the area allotted to TVK MLAs.
The change led to speculation that it could be linked to tensions between the Congress and the TVK. However, Cuthbert rejected such an interpretation, saying the change was part of the arrangements following her appointment as the Congress Legislature Party leader and was not a political move against the TVK.
She also accused the BJP of being politically apprehensive about Rahul Gandhi, referring to the registration of an FIR against him in Uttarakhand.
Alliance under scrutiny
The developments have placed the Congress-TVK relationship under renewed political scrutiny. While both sides have so far avoided openly declaring a dispute, differences over the question of national leadership could become a sensitive issue as the political landscape begins to take shape ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
For the Congress, Rahul Gandhi remains the party’s central national leader and its principal prime ministerial face. For the TVK, meanwhile, Vijay’s growing popularity gives the party an opportunity to expand beyond Tamil Nadu and establish itself as a significant political force.
The immediate challenge for both parties will therefore be to prevent differences over leadership from turning into an open alliance dispute.
For now, Cuthbert’s statement appears aimed at reinforcing the Congress’s position while simultaneously signalling that the party does not view its relationship with the TVK as being in crisis.
