Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has unequivocally endorsed Rahul Gandhi as the alliance's Prime Ministerial candidate, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Tharahai Cuthbert asserted on Monday.

Dismissing media speculation of a leadership rift between the ruling party and its alliance partner, Cuthbert stated that localised projections of Vijay for the Prime Ministerial role reflect cadre enthusiasm rather than the official stance of the party leadership. "The CM has chosen Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate. That is how he is proceeding," she said while speaking to reporters.

Addressing public comments made by Congress Minister Vishwanathan, Cuthbert agreed that the Congress party is growing independently and does not operate in a subservient role to the TVK. She emphasised that the Congress functions as a democratic and autonomous entity.

Commenting on an FIR recently filed against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, the MLA characterised the legal action as an expression of political anxiety from the BJP. Cuthbert claimed the BJP is intimidated by Gandhi's widespread public acceptance and projected that he will secure the Prime Minister's office in 2029.

On matters of state Assembly protocol, Cuthbert clarified that her seating reassignment was a standard procedural move reflecting her appointment as the Congress floor leader, rather than any political manoeuvring.

Cuthbert was officially appointed as the leader of the CLP in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 13. As a direct result of assuming the floor leader position, she was allotted a front-row seat on August 31, a placement typically reserved for leaders of opposition parties. PTI