Chennai: The Congress’s try to challenge Rahul Gandhi as “Thalaiva (chief)” in Tamil Nadu, alongside together with his public help for actor-politician Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan hours earlier than touchdown within the state, is being seen by political analysts as a sign geared toward alliance dynamics and boosting cadre morale, quite than a mass enchantment technique.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was within the state to attend the Golden Jubilee Celebration of St. Thomas English Excessive Faculty in Gudalur in Nilgiris district. 

Formally, the Congress continues to be in alliance with the DMK, however not a part of the Cupboard. Within the 2021 meeting polls, the DMK received 133 of the state’s 234 constituencies and shaped the federal government by itself, without having the help of the allies. 

“In that context, elevating Rahul Gandhi with a Tamil cultural idiom, Thalaiva, historically reserved for dominant regional figures, seems to be aspirational,” political analyst N. Sathiya Moorthy advised ThePrint.

Political analysts additionally say the portrayal of Rahul Gandhi as “Thalaiva“, giving air to speculations of a Congress alliance with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Congress leaders looking for extra share in energy are all stress ways to discount a greater seat-sharing take care of the ruling DMK within the 2026 meeting elections.

“After dropping the ability to the Dravidian celebration, the Congress has largely chosen to contest with the ruling DMK,” Sunil Kumar, Assistant Professor of political science at Hindustan College, advised ThePrint. “Within the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, after they determined to contest alone, their (Congress’s) vote share throughout the state was simply 4.5 p.c and this exhibits the Congress’s energy.” 

Ever for the reason that Congress shaped a committee led by All India Congress Committee(AICC) in-charge for Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar to carry the seat-sharing talks with the DMK, there have been voices contained in the congress demanding a share in energy.

“Each celebration would aspire to return to energy, and so does the Congress. We aspire to share energy within the state, however that might not be a pre-condition to affix the alliance,” state Congress president Okay. Selvaperunthagai advised ThePrint, acknowledging the celebration cadres’ aspiration to share energy within the state.

The I&B Ministry’s try to dam ‘Jana Nayagan’ is an assault on Tamil tradition.

Mr Modi, you’ll by no means achieve suppressing the voice of the Tamil folks.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 13, 2026

 

Whereas some Congress staff may be signalling their willingness to succeed in a doable electoral understanding with Vijay’s TVK, the celebration’s management is alleged to be agency on the alliance with DMK.  

A senior TNCC chief advised ThePrint that the committee shaped to carry alliance talks has already met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin and deliberations are on. 

“So, there isn’t a going again. However, there are aspirations throughout the celebration to affix fingers with Vijay’s TVK. We’re a democratic celebration and we don’t cease their voices. However, on the finish of the day, it’s for the nationwide management to take a name on the alliance,” the senior chief advised ThePrint.

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Rahul’s help for Jana Nayagan

Earlier within the day, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi alleged the Centre’s “try to dam” Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan is an assault on Tamil tradition. “Mr. Modi, you’ll by no means achieve suppressing the voice of Tamil folks,” Rahul Gandhi posted in X.

His remarks got here a day after the Jana Nayagan’s producer approached the Supreme Court docket, difficult an interim order of the Madras Excessive Court docket that stayed a single-judge course to grant the Central Board of Movie Certification (CBFC) clearance to the film.

This isn’t the primary time that Rahul Gandhi has stepped in help of Vijay’s film. In 2017, when Vijay-starrer Mersal confronted resistance from a bit of the BJP within the state, he took X, to voice his help for the film. 

“Mr. Modi, Cinema is a deep expression of Tamil tradition and language. Don’t attempt to demon-etise Tamil satisfaction by interfering in Mersal,” he posted.

Congress leaders within the state ThePrint spoke to Tuesday mentioned Rahul Gandhi’s expression of help isn’t out of political motive, however due to the non-public rapport between him and Vijay.

“Not only for films, even after the Karur stampede, which claimed the lives of 41 folks, Rahul first spoke to Chief Minister M.Okay. Stalin after which, he referred to as Vijay and spoke to him. So, the whole lot needn’t be about politics,” a senior chief advised ThePrint.

Political analysts within the state say that the Congress is trying to enhance its presence on the bottom by rising its variety of seats within the meeting.

“However, to extend the variety of seats, it’s extra unlikely to affix the TVK. As a result of, even to retain the ten MPS and the 18 MLAs, they must be with the DMK. The present TVK staff might not help the Congress, and if the Congress joins the TVK, they must face the wrath of not simply the AIADMK and BJP, but in addition the DMK, which may be very unlikely given their numbers within the Lok Sabha,” Sunil Kumar advised ThePrint.

When requested about it, DMK leaders downplayed it and mentioned that the celebration management will handle the alliance. 

“The DMK is agency on the alliance. The alliance politics in Tamil Nadu is pushed by floor realities. So, the alliance stays targeted on defeating the BJP quite than indulging in criticising one another,” DMK spokesperson T.Okay.S. Elangovan advised ThePrint.

(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)

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Additionally Learn: A cutout value a thousand phrases: Why Vijay is utilizing Annadurai & MGR’s images at TVK convention

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