Tensions between the Congress and the chief minister C Joseph Vijay-led TVK have been dominating the Tamil Nadu Assembly, with a seat change in the House adding fuel to the speculation of rift that reportedly stemmed from the pitch for Vijay as prime minister .
Congress is part of the TVK-led Tamil Nadu government with five MLAs, along with 107 of Vijay’s party, two of Indian Union Muslim League ( IUML ), and two of VCK / Left Factions (External Support). Because the TVK minister’s statements are a scathing vote of no confidence, and TVK is an alliance partner, but the Congress party still continues to be in the TVK government. The buzz of rift between the Congress and TVK comes in the backdrop of statements by leaders of Vijay’s party, projecting him as a potential contender for the prime minister’s post. “Repeated assertions by multiple TVK Ministers even inside on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Assembly touting their leader as a probable Prime Minister is an outright rejection of the failed and dismal leadership of Rahul Gandhi by the TVK. Now, what is preventing the opportunistic Congress party from coming out of the Cabinet of the TVK government? Why is the Congress party not withdrawing support to the TVK government after their leader Rahul Gandhi has been insulted? ANI quoted Kesavan as saying.
Congress Legislature Party leader and MLA Tharahai Cuthbert was shifted to the front row of the Opposition benches in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday, amid speculation over differences between the Congress and ruling TVK.
TVK leaders have lately been projecting party chief minister Vijay as a potential contender for the PM post. The development comes a day after Tamil Nadu tourism minister S Rajesh Kumar said that Congress ministers in the state Cabinet would resign if TVK did not support Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
TVK PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna had earlier said that the country’s top constitutional office should be held by a leader from Tamil Nadu.
Cuthbert was earlier seated in the section allocated to TVK MLAs. However, her seat was changed on Monday, with the Congress leader now occupying a place in the front row of the Opposition benches, according to an ANI news agency report.
