CHENNAI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s public support for actor-turned-politician Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan, posted ahead of his Tamil Nadu visit, has sparked political discussion, with observers viewing it more as a signal linked to alliance dynamics and cadre morale than as an attempt at mass outreach.
“The I&B Ministry’s attempt to block Jana Nayagan is an attack on Tamil culture. Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X on Tuesday, ahead of his visit to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of St. Thomas English Higher Secondary School in Gudalur in the Nilgiris district.
The post comes amid speculation that a section of Congress leaders is inclined towards an electoral understanding with actor and TVK founder Vijay ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections. Several Congress leaders in the State, including MPs Manickam Tagore and S Jothimani, and All India Professionals’ Congress chairman Praveen Chakravarty, also posted messages backing the film and criticising the Central Board of Film Certification for allegedly obstructing its release.
Rumours of parallel parleys gained traction after reports of a meeting between Praveen Chakravarty and Vijay following the Karur stampede incident. At the same time, sections within the Congress have been vocal about seeking a greater share in power in Tamil Nadu and an increase in seat allocation.
The Congress leadership, however, is said to be firm on continuing its alliance with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. A senior Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leader said the party’s seat-sharing committee has already met Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin and that discussions are ongoing. While acknowledging differing views within the party, the leader said the final decision on alliances would be taken by the national leadership.
Congress's Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore said Rahul Gandhi’s post reflected the Congress’s consistent opposition to what it views as the misuse of central institutions and reiterated that the party remained committed to its alliance with the DMK.
Praveen Chakravarty, speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport, said the post was about protecting Tamil culture and tradition, and not about electoral politics.