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Rahul Gandhis recent rebranding as Thalaiva in Tamil Nadu marks a significant cultural and political manoeuvre for the Congress leader. This rebrand, traditionally reserved for cinematic icons like Rajinikanth and Vijay, coincides with his vocal support for actor-politician Vijay's film Janagan, which faces censorship issues. Gandhi has framed the Central Board of Film Certifications (CBFC) actions against Janagan as an attack on Tamil identity, aligning Congress with regional sentiments.
This strategic outreach, particularly during the Pongal festival, appears to serve a dual purpose: to project Gandhi as a mass leader connected to Tamil culture and to potentially forge new alliances. However, it also creates tension within the existing DMK-Congress alliance.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has firmly stated its opposition to power-sharing, insisting on single-party rule in Tamil Nadu since 1967. The political landscape is therefore intricate, with Congress appearing to test new ground and extend an olive branch to Vijay’s outfit, TVK, while navigating its long-standing partnership with the DMK ahead of impending elections.
