The Congress gathered some of its biggest political faces under one roof for VD Satheesan’s swearing-in ceremony in Kerala, projecting a picture of unity and national strength, but it was the absence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay that ended up dominating political chatter.
With Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra seated prominently at the centre of the event, the Congress turned the ceremony into a carefully crafted display of its governance model and opposition solidarity ahead of bigger national battles.
Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah, Revanth Reddy and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu were among the senior leaders present, alongside Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Leaders from across Kerala’s political spectrum, including Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Binoy Viswam and NK Premachandran, were also invited as part of the state’s long-standing tradition of inclusive political outreach.
Yet, despite the heavyweight attendance, political conversations quickly shifted to one question – why did Vijay stay away?
VIJAY’S ABSENCE FUELS SPECULATION
The Congress had invited Vijay, whose growing proximity to Rahul Gandhi has triggered intense political interest after the now-viral visuals from the Tamil Nadu swearing-in ceremony.
But this time, the optics never materialised.
Satheesan confirmed there had been no communication from Vijay’s office regarding his travel plans.
Official sources in Tamil Nadu insisted there had never been any concrete plan for Vijay to attend the Kerala event, pointing to security and logistical concerns.
“It would have been a logistical challenge given Vijay’s massive fan following in Kerala. His presence could have triggered an uncontrollable crowd and overshadowed the ceremony meant for CM-designate Satheesan and his cabinet,” a TVK source said.
The explanation did little to quieten speculation.
LOGISTICS OR POLITICAL CALCULATION?
Within Congress circles, many had expected the Kerala ceremony to recreate the political chemistry seen between Rahul Gandhi and Vijay in Tamil Nadu, visuals that had sparked discussions about a possible new opposition equation in the South.
That expectation collapsed the moment Vijay stayed away from Thiruvananthapuram.
Government sources in Tamil Nadu said Vijay was tied up with administrative work, as several ministers were yet to formally take charge and multiple official meetings could not be postponed.
Still, leaders within the Congress privately admitted there may have been deeper political calculations behind the decision.
“If Vijay had attended, it would have recreated a similar visual with Rahul Gandhi within a short span of time. It could also have been interpreted as a political endorsement of the Gandhi scion,” a senior Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.
The leader added, “Perhaps Vijay did not want to antagonise the Centre by appearing too aligned with the Congress. He has just started his tenure and doesn’t want to make too many enemies at the Centre.”
The absence, therefore, became politically louder than a presence.
TVK’S KERALA PUSH PICKS UP PACE
Even as Vijay skipped the ceremony, his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has quietly begun expanding its footprint in Kerala.
For years, Vijay has enjoyed a massive fan base in the state, with his films drawing huge crowds even without Malayalam dubbing. Now, that popularity is slowly being converted into political organisation.
After Wayanad and Palakkad, TVK recently formed its district unit in Thrissur and held its first meeting there.
The event witnessed a sizeable turnout of Vijay supporters, many of whom are now being absorbed into the party structure through local fan associations.
Party organisers said the next phase would focus on ward-level committees and direct outreach to voters.
“Those who underestimated TVK should realise that Vijay commands tremendous appeal in Kerala, especially among Gen Z. We are also planning to reach out to women voters,” a party organiser said.
EYE ON 2029
Vijay’s growing political footprint beyond Tamil Nadu is being watched closely not only by the Congress, but also by the BJP as the race towards the 2029 Lok Sabha elections slowly begins to take shape.
For the Congress, Vijay represents a charismatic regional force capable of influencing younger voters across southern states. For the BJP, his rise introduces another unpredictable variable in a region where electoral equations are constantly shifting.
And for Vijay himself, every move now carries political meaning.
In Kerala, his absence from a high-profile Congress event may officially have been about logistics and governance. Politically, however, it signalled something larger, a leader still carefully balancing proximity, independence and ambition as he tests the waters beyond Tamil Nadu.
– Ends
Published By:
Sonali Verma
Published On:
May 18, 2026 18:01 IST
