Congress will return to power and Rahul Gandhi becoming Prime Minister in 2029 is certain, the AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said in Chennai on Thursday, adding, “the people of India and Tamil Nadu are ready for it.”

Mr. Venugopal, who arrived in Chennai after attending the Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi, said the meeting had discussed several issues concerning students, including examination irregularities, paper leaks and their uncertain future.

He said Mr. Gandhi had taken up the concerns of students and had cautioned the Prime Minister nearly a year ago that their grievances were not being heard. Despite this, the BJP had mocked Mr. Gandhi when he questioned the decision to have examinations across such a large country conducted through a single agency, he said.

Mr. Venugopal, who attended a meeting of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee’s general body at Kamarajar Arangam, also described the present moment as “a new era for Tamil Nadu — a Kamarajar era for Tamil Nadu.”

TNCC president Manickam Tagore, in his address, spoke about strengthening the party at the grassroots level in Tamil Nadu and reaching out to people through social media units. According to him, the party is now in the fifth position among political parties in the State and must fight to get to at least the third.

The TNCC general body adopted several resolutions, including opposing any delimitation exercise that would adversely affect Tamil Nadu and other States. It reiterated the demand that the number of Lok Sabha constituencies remain at 543 based on the 1971 Census and sought 33% reservation for women.

The resolutions also raised concerns over farmers’ issues and demanded legal protection for minimum support price, while opposing policies that the party said would undermine States’ rights. The TNCC also flagged concerns over public education, examination irregularities and the functioning of the National Testing Agency.

Published - August 20, 2026 11:55 pm IST