From Rejected Congress Hopeful To Tamil Nadu CM: Vijay And Rahul Gandhi’s Full Circle Moment

As Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay prepares to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, one of the biggest political talking points around the ceremony is the presence of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. The appearance of the Congress leader at the swearing-in event has once again brought focus on the evolving relationship between the two leaders, a bond that political observers say has strengthened significantly over the years.

Interestingly, the connection between Vijay and the Congress goes back nearly two decades. In what many are now calling a dramatic political turnaround, Vijay had once explored joining the Congress party in 2009. Years later, the same Congress has now become a smaller ally in a coalition led by Vijay.

Vijay's Old Congress Connection Comes Full Circle

According to sources familiar with the developments, Vijay recently told a small gathering of alliance leaders that some Congress figures stood by him when many others doubted his political future. Among those he reportedly mentioned were Rahul Gandhi and Congress strategist Praveen Chakravarty.

Vijay is said to have acknowledged that Rahul Gandhi and a few others believed in his ability to eventually win Tamil Nadu even during politically uncertain times.

For many analysts, this history explains why the Congress became a natural ally for Vijay despite the changing political landscape in the state.

Rahul Gandhi Sees Vijay As A Trusted Southern Ally

Political observers believe Rahul Gandhi also sees strategic value in the friendship. With the Congress struggling to maintain a strong independent presence in Tamil Nadu, Vijay's rise offers the party an opportunity to remain politically relevant in the state.

At the same time, sources suggest Rahul Gandhi views Vijay as a dependable secular force in southern India. The Congress leader is understood to believe Vijay can emerge as a major non-BJP political face in the region whom he can trust politically.

This growing comfort level between the two leaders reportedly deepened further after TVK's electoral victory.

'Brother': Vijay's Personal Invite To Rahul Gandhi

Since Vijay's massive political win, Rahul Gandhi is said to have spoken to him at least three times. One of the most discussed moments came on the day TVK and the Congress finalised their alliance to form the government.

During that conversation, Vijay reportedly invited Rahul Gandhi to his oath-taking ceremony and addressed him as "brother".

Rahul Gandhi is said to have replied that he would "definitely try to come" for the event. On Sunday, the Congress MP arrived in Chennai for the ceremony, underlining the importance of the relationship between the two leaders.

Congress-DMK Split Adds New Political Dimension

Rahul Gandhi's support for Vijay has also drawn attention because of the Congress party's strained ties with the DMK during the election period. The Congress leader reportedly skipped certain meetings organised by the DMK campaign despite the parties previously being allies.

For now, the Congress-DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu appears to have come to an end. However, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has expressed hope that both parties could continue working together at the national level despite the state-level split.

The latest developments suggest that Vijay and Rahul Gandhi's equation may now become an important factor in shaping opposition politics in southern India in the coming years.