According to a report in Junior Vikatan, the Congress is reportedly concerned that the emergence of a third front could weaken or even break the I.N.D.I. Alliance, with the Mallikarjun Kharge camp said to be pushing for closer ties with the DMK to prevent such a scenario.
Against this backdrop, Congress MP Manickam Tagore is reportedly attempting to bring Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay together during Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit to Chennai on October 10.
The report said Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to participate in an event titled ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj (Maanavar Kural/Students’ Voice) at Chennai’s Island Grounds on 10 October 2026. The programme is reportedly aimed at directly engaging with students appearing for competitive examinations and discussing issues they face, as well as alleged irregularities in the education sector.
According to the report, Tagore is keen to use the occasion to facilitate a meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Vijay.
However, the report claimed that the Chief Minister’s Office has not yet given a green signal for the proposed meeting, leaving Tagore reportedly disappointed.
The discussion also touched upon speculation about a possible rapprochement between the DMK and Congress.
According to the report, Rahul Gandhi himself is said to have no such intention. However, a view has reportedly been conveyed to Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi by the Mallikarjun Kharge camp that maintaining cordial relations with the DMK would be necessary to protect the I.N.D.I. Alliance.
The report claimed that the concern within the Congress is that failure to maintain its relationship with the DMK could lead to the emergence of a third front and eventually weaken the I.N.D.I. Alliance.
It further claimed that this thinking is reflected in the recent statements of Tamil Nadu Congress leaders, including state Congress president Selvaperunthagai, who have openly criticised the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
At the same time, the report claimed that the DMK leadership is firmly of the view that the I.N.D.I. Alliance should be broken up.
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