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As one senior Congress functionary put it, “Our alliance with the DMK is strong, but that does not mean we should close channels of communication with Vijay.”
Congress sources have confirmed that Gandhi, currently touring South America, dialed both Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Vijay. (Image: PTI)
A brief phone call can sometimes carry weight far beyond its duration — particularly when it involves two prominent figures like Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Tamil star-turned-politician Vijay. Congress sources have confirmed that Gandhi, currently touring South America, dialed both Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Vijay. While his outreach to Stalin was expected, the call to Vijay has stirred curiosity in political circles, given the actor-politician’s repeated attacks on the DMK.
The development has revived the larger question: could there be space for Congress and Vijay to explore common ground? Within the Congress, views remain split. Senior leaders maintain that these are “early days” and that the party is merely observing the evolving dynamics. Yet, others argue that Vijay is a force the party cannot afford to ignore. As one senior Congress functionary put it, “Our alliance with the DMK is strong, but that does not mean we should close channels of communication with Vijay.”
Tamil Nadu’s political history lends weight to this approach. The state has long witnessed actors-turned-leaders shaping mass politics, and Vijay, with his strong appeal among women and younger voters, has already carved out a sizeable base. Congress leaders recognise that while their strength in Tamil Nadu currently rests on their partnership with the DMK, they also need to build independent traction — and being seen as “soft” on Vijay could serve that purpose.
Still, caution prevails. Many within the Congress remain loyal to the DMK and view Vijay as a rival whose rise would come directly at the DMK’s expense. Yet, the party’s careful and balanced stance on recent controversies, such as the Karur stampede where Vijay’s role was debated, indicates that the Congress is keeping its options open. For now, it’s a calculated wait-and-watch game.
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als…Read More
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als… Read More
September 29, 2025, 15:10 IST
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