Backing Vijay Was Not Sudden Cong Decision, Says Tagore

Chennai:Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Manickam Tagore has said the Congress’ support to Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay was not a sudden decision, asserting that Vijay and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had maintained a relationship even before the actor entered politics.

Addressing a joint campaign meeting at Madurantakam ahead of the October 6 Assembly by-poll, Tagore said the Congress had followed its internal consultation process before deciding to support the TVK-led alliance. The meeting was the first joint campaign event involving the TVK and its alliance partners.

Responding to criticism that the Congress had “suddenly” joined hands with the TVK, Tagore said the party did not take such decisions without consultations.

He said Congress leaders from Tamil Nadu were called to Delhi on January 17 for consultations on the 2026 Assembly election and that their views were conveyed to the party leadership. According to Tagore, the Congress decided on March 2 to continue its alliance with the DMK, but the political situation that followed led to a decision to support the TVK.

Tagore said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had informed DMK leader T.R. Baalu about the Congress’ decision to support the TVK before further steps were taken.

He said several positions articulated by Vijay, including caste census and power-sharing, were close to issues raised by the Congress. Tagore also pointed to Vijay’s emphasis on secularism and said these common positions had contributed to the political understanding between the two sides.

According to Tagore, Vijay had met Rahul Gandhi as early as 2009, before launching his political party. He said the relationship between the two had continued to develop after Vijay entered politics.

Tagore also referred to Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with Vijay following the Karur incident, saying Rahul was among the first political leaders to speak to Vijay and urged him to overcome the grief and stand by the people who had placed their trust in him.

He also cited Rahul’s public support for Vijay during the controversy surrounding his film ‘Jana Nayagan’. The Congress leader had earlier publicly backed Vijay amid the controversy over the film.

“Vijay is clear about secularism and democracy,” Tagore said, adding that Rahul had confidence in Vijay’s ability to serve the people of Tamil Nadu..