Tamil Nadu politics: EPS takes dig at TVK’s ‘Vijay for PM’ push

The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary Edappi K Palaniswamy has mocked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, saying he could even go on to become the President of the United States. Well, the statement comes amid growing Vijay for Prime Minister chorus within TVK. The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that Vijay could replace Donald Trump, adding that it is his wish and that there's nothing wrong with it. He also pitched the positions of Indian President and Prime Minister for Vijay. The war of words began after several TVK leaders projected Vijay as the potential Prime Minister in 2029. The issue was first raised by Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Aadhaar Varjuna. Speaking during a debate on delimitation in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Aadhaar Varjuna had said that a Prime Minister should emerge from the state. Several other TVK leaders had followed with similar comments, projecting Vijay as the next Prime Minister. Well, reports say that the comments have sparked unease in the TVK ally Congress rank and file. Congress has threatened to quit Vijay's cabinet if the TVK refuses to endorse Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the 2029 Prime Ministerial candidate. Speaking at a party event, Tamil Nadu's Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar asserted that Rahul Gandhi will be the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress Minister warned that if the TVK did not endorse Rahul as the Prime Minister candidate, the two Congress Ministers in Vijay's cabinet will resign. Now, Vijay has not yet commented officially on his 2029 aspirations. Publicly, he hasn't spoken anything about his Prime Ministerial ambitions. The commentary from TVK leaders may not reflect the party's official line, but with ally Congress drawing clear red lines, the issue could emerge as a flashpoint between the two parties.