Barely 100 days after actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay took charge as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, leaders of his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) have begun talking about a much bigger political ambition
— the Prime Minister’s post in 2029.
The clearest pitch came from TVK Minister for Human Resources Management Sarathkumar, who openly projected Vijay as a future Prime Minister of India during the Tamil Nadu Assembly proceedings on Tuesday.
‘You Are The Next PM’: Sarathkumar
Speaking in the Assembly, Sarathkumar praised Vijay’s work ethic and said the Chief Minister should be seen as the country’s next Prime Minister.
“Our leader, who is a CM in our hearts, home and St George’s Fort, is the next Indian PM. You are the next PM. You work without looking at AM or PM, you are definitely the next PM,” Sarath said, according to an India Today report.
The statement comes after TVK’s first electoral victory in 2026, when the party formed the government in Tamil Nadu.
For a party that began its political journey with Vijay in 2024, the early talk of the Prime Minister’s post signals that its ambitions may extend beyond the state.
‘PM Must Emerge From South’
Sarathkumar’s remarks came a day after another TVK leader made a similar pitch.
Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna said India should, in the future, have a Prime Minister from the South and that such a leader should emerge from Tamil Nadu.
On Monday, Arjuna said such a leader would represent every Indian and treat every citizen equally.
The comments come amid a wider political debate over the proposed delimitation exercise. Parties in Tamil Nadu, including TVK and the DMK, have opposed the move, arguing that northern states could gain disproportionate electoral strength.
Can Vijay Make The Leap?
For now, the immediate challenge for Vijay remains governing Tamil Nadu and converting his electoral victory into sustained political credibility.
His first 100 days have included several welfare and development measures.
The government launched the Singappen Special Task Force, an all-women security wing with a sanctioned strength of 2,545 personnel to tackle crimes against women.
It also introduced the Thaaimaaman Thanga Mothiram Scheme, with Rs 560 crore allocated for one-gram gold rings for newborns delivered in government hospitals. The Annan’s Seer Scheme has an allocation of Rs 812 crore to provide eligible brides an eight-gram gold coin and silk saree.
Welfare, Education And Employment Push
The Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme has been expanded to another 15.14 lakh students in Classes VI-VIII, while Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for laptops for college students.
Class XI students in government and aided schools are also set to receive bicycles, helmets and water bottles. The Vettri Housing Scheme has an allocation of Rs 3,500 crore.
The government says agricultural loan waivers have benefited more than 14.44 lakh farmers, alongside a Rs 6,000-crore crop-loan waiver and increased incentives for sugarcane and paddy.
Under the Vettri Skill Training Scheme, the government claims 12 lakh students and one lakh youth have received training. The Vettri 150 Scheme promises 150 days of guaranteed employment.
The government has also announced 200 units of free electricity every two months for domestic consumers using up to 500 units.
On law and order, 65 special task forces called STING have been formed to target drug networks and organised gangs.
Annamalai Praises Vijay’s Style
Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai has also praised the way the Vijay government is functioning.
Speaking at the India Today Tamil Nadu Roundtable in Chennai, Annamalai called the change brought by the government “a very fresh breath” into Tamil Nadu politics.
He praised the conduct and functioning of legislators while criticising established Dravidian parties.
Annamalai also said the government appeared to be genuinely against corruption, but cautioned that it had so far failed to communicate a clear roadmap for Tamil Nadu.
That could prove important for Vijay. A 100-day period can create momentum, but a full term in office will determine his credibility.
The 2029 Prime Ministerial pitch currently comes from within TVK rather than a broader national coalition. Whether Vijay can emerge as a national contender will depend on his performance in Tamil Nadu and the political equations that follow.
For now, TVK has moved from entering politics in 2024 to forming the Tamil Nadu government in 2026. Its leaders are already looking towards New Delhi in 2029.
