Rahul Gandhi Meets Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Over Lunch, Discusses Political Situation

Chennai, Oct 9 : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over lunch in Chennai, with discussions reportedly focusing on the prevailing political situation, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the expansion of the newly formed Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance (SJVA).

The meeting assumes political significance as it comes days after Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) formally joined the INDIA bloc and decided to participate in the October 15 protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR controversy.

Rahul Gandhi, who was on a day-long visit to Chennai as part of his student outreach programme, interacted with Gen Z and students on issues including the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and employment opportunities. His meeting with Vijay also came a day after the ruling TVK reportedly registered a twin victory in the Assembly bypolls and ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city.

The meeting, held at Vijay's residence on the East Coast Road (ECR), was the first interaction between the two leaders since the formation of the SJVA. The alliance comprises the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), led by Vaiko. The Congress, VCK and IUML are also part of the TVK-led government.

The discussions reportedly covered a range of political issues, including the ongoing protests against the SIR exercise and the possibility of expanding the alliance.

The meeting also comes amid discussions within political circles over the INDIA bloc's potential prime ministerial face for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. While sections of the Congress have projected Rahul Gandhi as the prospective candidate, some TVK supporters have reportedly projected Vijay as a potential national leader. Some Congress leaders have expressed the view that the TVK should extend its full support to Rahul Gandhi's candidature.

Since the post-election realignment in Tamil Nadu, the Congress has ended its association with the DMK-led alliance and joined hands with the TVK following the April Assembly polls. Rahul Gandhi has visited Tamil Nadu twice since then, including for Vijay's swearing-in ceremony and a Congress district leaders' training meeting in Mamallapuram. The latest visit marks his third trip to the state and his second direct meeting with Vijay.

The TVK was formally inducted into the INDIA bloc on October 3 at a meeting organised by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP B. Manickam Tagore. The meeting was attended by alliance partners and the two Left parties, the CPI and CPI(M), which extend outside support to the Vijay government but are not part of the TVK-led front.

The meeting resolved to organise a major demonstration in Chennai on October 15 as part of the INDIA bloc's nationwide 'Save Democracy' campaign against the Election Commission of India (ECI). The protest will demand the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and condemn the alleged misuse of the electoral process under the BJP-led Union government.

The alliance also adopted five resolutions, including a decision to hold 'Save Democracy' protests at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu on October 13 and 14, ahead of the main demonstration. The parties said the campaign would highlight their concerns over the SIR exercise, which they described as an attack on democratic rights.

One of the resolutions criticised the Union government for allegedly using the ECI to deprive 13 crore people of their voting rights. Another welcomed the TVK into the INDIA bloc and praised its founder and Chief Minister Vijay for deciding to coordinate closely with the alliance.

Tagore said leaders of all INDIA bloc parties in Tamil Nadu would participate in the October 15 agitation, confirming the TVK's participation. The party has faced criticism from the principal Opposition DMK for not clearly stating its position on the SIR exercise.