Karnataka BJP MLA targets Rahul Gandhi over TVK alliance, cites LTTE link
Synopsis
A Karnataka BJP MLA has drawn a direct line between the Congress-TVK alliance and the LTTE's legacy — specifically Vijay's alleged tribute to Prabhakaran — on the day after Anti-Terrorism Day. The attack puts Rahul Gandhi in a politically awkward spot: defending an alliance in Tamil Nadu while facing questions about the party's stance on the organisation that killed his own father.
Key Takeaways
Channabasappa attacked Rahul Gandhi in Shivamogga on 22 May over the Congress-TVK alliance.
He alleged that TVK founder Vijay was seen paying floral tributes to LTTE chief Prabhakaran .
The LTTE is widely held responsible for the 1991 assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi , Rahul Gandhi's father.
Remarks came a day after 21 May — observed as Anti-Terrorism Day in India.
Channabasappa demanded that the Congress publicly clarify its position on terrorism and national security.
BJP MLA S.N. Channabasappa from Shivamogga, Karnataka, on Friday, 22 May launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the party's alliance with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political outfit of superstar-turned-politician Vijay. Channabasappa alleged that the Congress had aligned with a leader who was seen paying floral tributes to LTTE chief Prabhakaran — the head of an organisation widely held responsible for the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The Core Allegation
Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, Channabasappa said the Congress-TVK alliance was politically and morally contradictory. 'Despite knowing this, Rahul Gandhi has allied with TVK,' he said, questioning how the party could partner with a figure allegedly linked to the LTTE's legacy.
The MLA alleged that the Congress, having governed the country for several years, bore a special responsibility to take a firm stand on terrorism-related issues — and that its current political alignments undermined that responsibility.
Anti-Terrorism Day Backdrop
The remarks came a day after 21 May, observed annually as Anti-Terrorism Day in India — the anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991. Channabasappa also referenced the killing of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, stating that both incidents underscored the devastating impact of terrorism on the country.
He noted that terrorism, jihadist activities, and extremist ideologies had posed continuous challenges since Independence, and that successive governments had undertaken anti-terror operations to address these threats. He added that such incidents had reduced in recent years owing to stronger counter-terrorism measures.
Demand for Congress to Clarify Its Stand
The BJP MLA urged the Congress party to publicly state its position on terrorism and national security. He alleged contradictions in the party's political associations and called on its leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, to clarify where it stands on groups and individuals linked to controversial historical figures.
Channabasappa also highlighted that thousands of lives had been lost to terrorist violence over the decades, with many more left permanently disabled, framing the issue as one of national significance that transcended electoral politics.
Context: Congress-TVK Alliance
The Indian National Congress (INC) and TVK have been reported to be part of a broader opposition alliance in Tamil Nadu. TVK, founded by actor-politician Vijay, is a relatively new entrant in Tamil Nadu politics. The LTTE was designated a terrorist organisation by India following Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, and any perceived association with its legacy remains a politically sensitive issue in Indian public discourse.
With Tamil Nadu assembly elections on the horizon, the BJP's targeting of this alliance signals an intent to sharpen the national security narrative ahead of the electoral cycle.
Point of View
It attempts to turn the Congress-TVK alliance into a national security liability rather than a regional electoral calculation. The charge puts Congress in a bind — distancing itself from TVK risks the Tamil Nadu alliance, while defending it invites further LTTE-adjacency attacks. What mainstream coverage underplays is that the BJP has limited electoral footprint in Tamil Nadu, making this less about winning seats there and more about a national narrative targeting Rahul Gandhi's credibility on security issues ahead of future elections.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is BJP MLA Channabasappa criticising the Congress-TVK alliance?
Channabasappa alleges that TVK founder Vijay was seen paying floral tributes to LTTE chief Prabhakaran, the leader of an organisation held responsible for the 1991 assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi — who is Rahul Gandhi's father. He argues the Congress-TVK alliance is therefore politically and morally contradictory.
What is Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)?
TVK is a political party in Tamil Nadu founded by actor-politician Vijay. It is a relatively new entrant in Tamil Nadu politics and has been reported as part of a broader opposition alliance that includes the Indian National Congress.
Why were these remarks made on 22 May specifically?
The remarks came a day after 21 May, which is observed as Anti-Terrorism Day in India — the anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991. Channabasappa used the occasion to demand that Congress clarify its stand on terrorism and national security.
What has the Congress said in response?
The source does not record any response from the Congress party or Rahul Gandhi to Channabasappa's allegations at the time of reporting.
What did Channabasappa demand from the Congress party?
He urged the Congress to publicly state its position on terrorism, jihadist activities, and extremist ideologies, and to clarify its stance on political associations linked to controversial historical figures.
