Making Rahul Gandhi PM in 2029 should be our objective, says B. Manickam Tagore

B. Manickam Tagore, a Member of Parliament representing Virudhunagar constituency, officially took over as the president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) on June 29, 2026. The ceremony took place at Sathyamurthy Bhavan in Chennai, where senior Congress leaders, ministers, MPs, and former TNCC presidents were present to witness the transition. Tagore described his assumption of the presidency as "running a marathon," emphasizing the long-term commitment required to lead the party in Tamil Nadu.

Tagore outlined his vision for the TNCC, stating that the primary objective should be to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister of India by 2029. He argued that only Rahul Gandhi could address critical issues such as abolishing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), protecting Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery river, ensuring the safety of fishermen, securing fair tax devolution from the central government, and obtaining adequate financial support from the Centre. According to Tagore, these issues must form the foundation of the Congress's political narrative in the state.

Reflecting on the tenure of his predecessor, outgoing TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai, Tagore acknowledged significant achievements, including reclaiming properties once owned by former Congress leader K. Kamaraj and establishing Grama Committees throughout Tamil Nadu. These initiatives, he noted, marked some of the most transformative developments in the past two years. However, Tagore expressed his intent to pursue even greater progress under his leadership.

Addressing tensions between the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Tagore stated that while there might be differences in approach, he would not hesitate to respond to attacks on the Congress. He clarified that he did not personally oppose DMK leaders such as K. Thalapathi, Anitha Radhakrishnan, or R.S. Bharathi, but emphasized that when these leaders criticized the Congress, he would defend the party's interests. He specifically mentioned that he had no issue with DMK President M.K. Stalin.

Tagore pointed out that surveys conducted in Tamil Nadu consistently showed that between 60% and 65% of respondents believed Rahul Gandhi should become the Prime Minister. Despite this public sentiment, he questioned why supporters of Rahul Gandhi were not voting for the Congress in elections. He suggested that the party needed to place Rahul Gandhi more prominently in its campaign strategy, noting that recent assembly elections indicated that financial resources alone were insufficient to secure victory.

To strengthen grassroots engagement, Tagore urged Congress ministers to visit Sathyamurthy Bhavan regularly to interact with party members. This initiative aimed to foster closer ties between the leadership and the local cadres, ensuring that the party remained connected to the people's concerns and aspirations.

K. Selvaperunthagai, during his farewell remarks, highlighted the establishment of Village Committees across Tamil Nadu, a project initiated during his tenure and continued by others, including Peter Alphonse. He mentioned that approximately 17,654 ward committees had been formed, along with the distribution of about 164,000 ID cards embedded with QR codes. These efforts, he claimed, reflected the collective dedication of the party members and officials involved.

As Tagore begins his tenure, the focus remains on aligning the TNCC's strategies with national goals, particularly the ambition to see Rahul Gandhi reach the highest office in the country. With a clear mandate from both the party and the people of Tamil Nadu, the challenge now lies in translating this vision into tangible results through effective governance and political mobilization.