Chennai, April 14 (IANS) With just over a week remaining for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled on April 23, political activity has intensified across the state, with major parties accelerating their campaign efforts in what is shaping up to be a crucial electoral battle.

The ruling DMK is preparing to host a major Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) rally in Salem on April 15, aimed at consolidating voter support in the final phase of campaigning.

The party has invited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to attend the event, but the lack of a confirmed response from him has reportedly led to dissatisfaction within sections of the DMK leadership.

Political sources trace this uncertainty to earlier tensions during alliance negotiations between the DMK and Congress.

At one stage, discussions reportedly took place within the Congress regarding a possible alignment with actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamil Nadu Victory Party (TVK).

While Rahul Gandhi was said to be open to the idea, Sonia Gandhi is believed to have opposed the move, after which Congress reaffirmed its alliance with the DMK.

Despite the alliance being intact, signs of strain have surfaced in recent weeks. Observers point to Rahul Gandhi’s limited visibility in Tamil Nadu’s campaign landscape, fuelling speculation about his level of engagement.

Though there is no official confirmation, reports suggest he may reduce or delay his campaign appearances in the state.

Recent developments have further added to the perception of a disconnect. Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin were present in Puducherry on the same day for election-related events but did not share a common platform, addressing separate gatherings instead.

Similarly, during earlier visits to Chennai and Coimbatore, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra did not participate in joint rallies with DMK leaders.

Amid the speculation, Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge Girish Chodankar has sought to allay concerns, stating that Rahul Gandhi is expected to campaign in the state before polling day.

He also noted that senior leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, and leaders from Telangana and Karnataka, are likely to join the campaign trail.

As the election approaches, the cohesion of the DMK-Congress alliance and the visibility of its top leadership could prove decisive in influencing voter sentiment.

–IANS

aal/dpb