Congress MP Manickam Tagore has rejected the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) suggestion that actor-turned-politician Vijay could become a future prime ministerial candidate, describing such claims as a “diversion tactic” by certain individuals. Responding to TVK MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh’s statement that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would eventually make Vijay occupy the prime minister’s chair, Tagore said he could not comment on such remarks.
“I can’t respond to every random astrologer’s claim,” Tagore said, while reiterating that the Congress supports efforts to build a corruption-free Tamil Nadu.
Tagore said Vijay was working to establish a “new system” in Tamil Nadu and alleged that people facing corruption allegations or fearing investigation were attempting to divert attention by spreading such stories. He added that the Congress considered it its responsibility to support Vijay’s efforts.
“As far as he is concerned, while he is working to establish a new system to build a corruption-free Tamil Nadu, those who are corrupt, those with skeletons in their closet, and those gripped by fear thinking, ‘Oh no, they will catch us, they will catch us,’ have all banded together to cook up stories,” Tagore said.
The Congress MP’s comments come amid increasing political speculation about the relationship between the Congress and TVK ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly election.
BJP TAKES AIM AT TVK-CONGRESS
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran also criticised the emerging political alignment, questioning the conflicting leadership claims being made by the two parties. Reacting to voices within TVK backing Vijay for the prime minister’s post, Nagendran asked, “Vijay as CM, Rahul Gandhi as PM?”
“The leader of that alliance party, the Congress party leader, he says Rahul Gandhi is the Prime Minister. However, these people (TVK) are saying Vijay is the Chief Minister,” he said.
Nagendran said whether an individual was qualified to become chief minister was a secondary issue, arguing that disagreements over leadership within an alliance raised questions about its ability to govern effectively.
“Whether someone is qualified or not to hold the post of Chief Minister is a secondary matter. But when they lack unity even within this, what are they going to do for the people of Tamil Nadu?” he said.
The BJP leader also criticised the state government while referring to a recent political controversy involving a minister who had threatened to resign.
“One minister says, ‘I will resign from my post.’ This is the state of affairs under which this government is currently functioning,” Nagendran said.
He further noted that the live telecast of Assembly proceedings allowed the public to see the developments directly and warned that the situation could have significant political consequences.
