Politics · India Bureau
Congress threatens exit from Vijay cabinet over PM candidate dispute
A Congress minister has warned the party will quit the Tamil Nadu government if Rahul Gandhi is not accepted as the prime ministerial candidate. The ultimatum reflects growing tensions within the ruling coalition over national political ambitions.
LSN India ·
Congress minister S. Rajesh Kumar issued a stark warning on Thursday that his party would withdraw from the state cabinet if the coalition fails to accept Rahul Gandhi as a prime ministerial candidate, signalling deepening rifts within the Tamil Nadu ruling alliance.
Kumar's statement comes amid escalating efforts by some Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) members and functionaries to position Chief Minister M.K. Stalin as a potential prime ministerial contender, according to party sources.
The warning underscores the fragile balance within the DMK-Congress-led coalition government, which secured power in the 2021 state elections. Congress, a junior partner in the alliance, has grown increasingly concerned about its diminishing influence and the rising political profile of TVK, a regional party that entered the coalition more recently.
The dispute reflects broader tensions within Tamil Nadu politics, where regional aspirations frequently collide with national political objectives. The Congress party has long positioned Rahul Gandhi as a key national figure, and any perceived snubbing of his candidacy carries significant implications for coalition stability.
The development also highlights the precarious nature of multi-party coalitions in Indian politics, where ideological alignment often takes a backseat to territorial and leadership ambitions. Political analysts suggest the dispute could force difficult negotiations within the alliance in coming weeks.