Congress Ministers Threaten to Quit Tamil Nadu Coalition Over PM Candidate

Tamil Nadu's coalition government faces a potential crisis as Congress ministers have threatened to resign if the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party does not endorse Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 national elections. The ultimatum, issued over the weekend, highlights a growing rift within the state alliance over national political ambitions.

Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar stated that he and Higher Education Minister Viswanathan would immediately quit the cabinet led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay if the TVK fails to accept Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial face for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. "If the TVK does not agree with our stand, the two Congress ministers will not continue in the ministry," Rajesh Kumar said at a party event in Kanyakumari district on Sunday. He emphasized that party loyalty supersedes his ministerial post, adding, "If the party asks us to withdraw from the ministry, we will step down the very next minute."

The warning comes amid repeated statements from TVK leaders projecting Chief Minister Vijay as a prospective prime contender. This narrative gained momentum after PWD Minister Aadhav...