Congress Minister Threatens to Quit Vijay Cabinet if TVK Rejects Rahul Gandhi as PM Face for 2029 Polls

August 31, 2026

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Minister S. Rajesh Kumar has said he and another Congress minister could resign from the state Cabinet if the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) does not support Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the party’s choice for Prime Minister in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Kumar, who holds the Tourism and Tourism Development Corporation portfolios, made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Kanniyakumari on Sunday.

The Congress MLA from Killiyoor said he, along with Higher Education Minister P. Vishwanathan, was prepared to resign from the Cabinet if TVK refused to back Rahul Gandhi for the 2029 polls.

Rajesh Kumar backs Rahul Gandhi for 2029

“Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, will be the next Prime Minister after the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. If the TVK decides to reject him, then both of our ministers will quit the Cabinet. We want to clarify that our party remains our topmost priority,” Kumar said.

His remarks come amid statements from some TVK leaders projecting Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as a possible Prime Ministerial candidate for the next general election.

Kumar’s comments indicate that the Congress is unwilling to compromise on its preference for Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Ministerial face.

Congress-TVK alliance under spotlight

The statement comes against the backdrop of political realignments in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly elections. According to the information provided, the TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, while the DMK won 59 and Congress secured five seats.

The Congress had earlier been part of an alliance with the DMK but subsequently joined hands with the TVK. The shift drew sharp criticism from the DMK, which accused the Congress of betraying its former ally.

The DMK has also reportedly stayed away from meetings of the INDIA bloc following the political realignment, while speculation has emerged about a possible understanding between the DMK and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. No official confirmation of such a move has been made.

Congress defends alliance with TVK

Congress leaders have defended the party’s decision to ally with the TVK, maintaining that alliances can change according to political circumstances.

Congress MP Jothimani had said that alliances forming and breaking was a natural part of politics, pointing to the DMK’s decision to end its alliance with the Congress ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The latest remarks by Rajesh Kumar could add another layer to the evolving political equation between the Congress and TVK as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.