Tamil Nadu election: Why Rahul Gandhi rallying behind Vijay could worry DMK

Both the DMK and the Congress have been reassessing the TVK and Vijay's potential impact after the Karur stampede in September 2025

• Rahul Gandhi supports Vijay in film certification dispute, calls it attack on Tamil culture
• Gandhi's support fuels speculation of Congress-TVK alliance in Tamil Nadu
• Congress seeks more seats, considering options beyond DMK in ongoing talks

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Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday extended strong support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay amid the row over the certification issues for his upcoming film Jananayagan.

According to Gandhi, the Centre's "attempt to block" Vijay-starrer "Jana Nayagan" is an attack on Tamil culture. In a post on X, Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never succeed in "suppressing the voice of the Tamil people".

In response, Vijay’s team thanked Gandhi. “Thank you to @RahulGandhisir for standing with Thalapathy Vijay and #JanaNayagan during this difficult time,” the team posted on X.

Coming amid the wrangle over seat-sharing among the INDIA bloc partners ahead of the Assembly elections, the Congress leader’s post strengthened speculation that Congress may be open to exploring a political understanding with the TVK even as it remains closely linked with the DMK.

Gandhi’s comments came after Vijay returned from Delhi after a seven-hour CBI questioning regarding the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives.

There has been no formal announcement from either side. However, Gandhi’s comments have fueled talks of a potential tie-up between Congress and TVK.

Vijay, who launched TVK in October 2024, is positioning it as an alternative political force in Tamil Nadu. The ruling DMK led by Chief Minister MK Stalin has termed Vijay's entry into the political ring not a significant threat.

 How will TVK help Congress?

For decades, the Congress survived in Tamil Nadu by accepting limited seats. Desperate to establish itself as a serious contender in the state’s politics, the grand old party has set an internal target of 38-40 seats along with cabinet berths, if the alliance comes to power.  The DMK, on the other hand, is unwilling to cede more than 32.

An association with Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars with a loyal fan base, especially among youth, could help the party broaden its reach beyond its traditional pockets of influence.

According to reports, many Congress leaders feel that campaigns led by both Vijay and Gandhi might have a strong resonation with people on the ground and could change the mood in the state. Also, Vijay’s party has been calling the Congress a “natural ally”.

Senior DMK leader I Periyasamy recently rejected the possibility of a coalition government ahead of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly election. Chief Minister MK Stalin remains determined to oppose any power-sharing arrangement with alliance partners. His remarks came after Congress MP Manickam Tagore had recently stated that it was time to discuss “share in power”.

Is DMK worried?

According to reports, Congress leaders continue to push for greater power-sharing in Tamil Nadu even after the DMK's firm refusal, highlighting ongoing negotiations and evolving political dynamics within the alliance.

Girish Chodankar, Congress's Tamil Nadu in-charge, has advocated that the party should be treated as "equals in alliance.”

The Congress has also shared a post depicting Gandhi as a Thalaiva or leader, raising questions about whether this was a message to the DMK indicating they were considering other options.

Earlier, DMK was critical of the stampede during a rally by Vijay in Karur, which led to a CBI probe. Gandhi’s phone call to Vijay, expressing sympathy for those who lost their lives, was questioned by the DMK.

Sources told News18 that Gandhi is exploring the possibility of breaking away from the DMK. Historically, the DMK was viewed negatively by Congress due to its perceived slow action in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. However, in 2004, Kamal Nath convinced Sonia Gandhi that defeating the BJP was more important, eventually leading to the UPA’s partnership with the DMK.

In the run up to the 2021 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, it took many days of negotiation for the Congress and DMK to finalise their seat sharing arrangement. As part of the alliance, it was finally decided that Congress would contest from 25 constituency seats and the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha seat.  The Congress won 18 of the 25 seats allocated to it in the alliance led by DMK.

The Congress and DMK have fought every election since 2004 except the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, but the seats contested by the national party in the assembly elections have been on the decline. From 48 in 2006, the party got 63 seats in 2011 but this was reduced to 41 in 2016 and further to 25 in 2021.

The DMK now needs Congress and Rahul Gandhi not because it lacks strength in Tamil Nadu, but because the BJP challenge makes the alliance indispensable. Chief Minister MK Stalin has been sparring with the BJP-led NDA at the Centre over several issues, including Hindi imposition row and run-in with Governor RN Ravi.

Allying with Gandhi helps Stalin consolidate the anti-BJP narrative nationally while strengthening his political base at home.