In Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian politics, May has become a month of open contradictions. While Congress remembers former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated by the LTTE in 1991, its allies openly pay tribute to LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran.
On May 21, on the occasion of the 35th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, floral tributes were paid at his memorial in Sriperumbudur.
On the occasion of the 35th death anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Thiru Rajiv Gandhi, floral tributes were paid at his memorial in Sriperumbudur under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Thiru @SPK_TNCC . Flowers and wreaths were… pic.twitter.com/jmCa0QtO8W
— Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (@INCTamilNadu) May 21, 2026
Besides members of the Gandhi family, many former Chief Ministers, Union Ministers and political leaders paid tribute to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial.
Paying tribute, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi referred to his father’s teachings and values. He said, “Papa, I will fully shoulder the responsibility of realising the dream of a skilled, prosperous and strong India that you envisioned.”
पापा, आपने जिस कुशल, समृद्ध और मजबूत भारत का सपना देखा था, उसे साकार करने की जिम्मेदारी मैं पूरी करूंगा।
आपकी सीख, आपके संस्कार और आपकी यादें हमेशा मेरे साथ रहेंगी। pic.twitter.com/uToSqMGdY3
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2026
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X, “His legacy continues to shape modern India and remains a source of inspiration for generations.” Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991.
It is noteworthy that political parties including TVK, DMK, Vaiko’s MDMK, VCK, Communist parties, Muslim outfits and Seeman’s NTK did not express similar sentiments, even as a customary gesture, considering that a former Prime Minister was killed on Tamil Nadu soil.
In contrast, Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay paid tributes to LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran two days earlier. On the occasion of Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, CM expressed solidarity with the global Tamil diaspora and pledged his administration’s continued support for their rights.
In his post on X, Vijay paid tribute to LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran on his death anniversary. Referring to Mullivaikkal in Sri Lanka, where he was killed by the Sri Lankan Army in 2009, Vijay wrote, “We will carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts! We will always stand in solidarity for the rights of our Tamil kin living across the sea!”
On his social media platform X, Vijay said, “We will carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts. We will always stand in solidarity for the rights of our Tamils.”
முள்ளிவாய்க்கால் நினைவுகளை இதயத்தில் ஏந்துவோம்! கடல் கடந்து வாழும் நம் தமிழ்ச் சொந்தங்களின் உரிமைகளுக்காக எப்போதும் துணை நிற்போம்!
— TVK Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ) May 18, 2026
Joseph Vijay, who has been a vocal supporter of Tamil Eelam, a separate nation for Tamils, reflects a position long held by several Dravidian parties in the state.
Earlier, in November 2025, Vijay, as TVK chief, tweeted in praise of those who sacrificed their lives for a separate Tamil country in Sri Lanka on the occasion of Maaveerargal Naal (Great Warriors’ Day). May 18 is observed as Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day to honour civilians killed in 2009 during the Sri Lankan Army’s final battle with the LTTE.
The Indian National Congress party has now aligned with elements that praised those associated with the assassination of its own leader in 1991. Critics say that for Congress, clinging to power is more important than ideology.
Earlier, it shared a platform with the DMK and now with TVK, which critics describe as the mirror image of the DMK.
Congress distanced itself from the DMK only to secure ministerial berths in the TVK government. Before the polls, both Vijay and Congress leaders had criticised each other sharply.
One netizen said, “Tamil Nadu CM Vijay paid tribute to Prabhakaran, the man responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi can join hands for power with someone who glorifies his father’s killer, imagine what compromises he would make if he came to power.”
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay paid tribute to Prabhakaran, the man responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi can join hands for power with someone who glorifies his father’s killer, imagine what compromises he would make if he came to power. pic.twitter.com/CTufNp1wXE
— Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) May 19, 2026
Author M.R. Venkatesh wrote on X, “Congressmen in TN are a unique species — absolutely confused. Every year, on 19th May they mourn the death of LTTE Prabhakaran and on 21st May they also mourn the death of Rajiv Gandhi assassinated by LTTE. Running with the hares and hunting with the hounds?”
Congressmen in TN are a unique species – absolutely confused. Every year, on 19th May they mourn the death of LTTE Prabhakar & on 21st May they also mourn the death of Rajiv Gandhi assassinated by LTTE! Running with the hares & hunting with hounds?
— MRV (@MRVChennai) May 22, 2026
In another development, the ED, in its probe, identified Chennai-based Sri Lankan businessman K. Baskaran as the alleged linchpin of the cadre network operating in Chennai.
A netizen wrote, “My worst fears are coming true. I repeat what I said earlier. If the current Sri Lankan government falls, there would be utter chaos on the island. This is their last sovereign government.”
My worst fears are coming true.
I repeat what I said earlier. If current Sri Lankan government falls, then there would be utter chaos in that island. This is their last sovereign government.#TNPolitics #SLPoliticshttps://t.co/oWbcLAzozS
— Sniper (@avarakai) May 20, 2026
The ED has also traced a money trail in the matter. It had arrested Sri Lankan national Letchumanan Mary Franciska and others on allegations of being members of the banned LTTE. The probe later revealed that they had allegedly received Rs 1.66 crore as “seed and sustenance” funds from a Denmark-based cadre of the banned outfit.
Reports stated that these funds were allegedly sent to meet the operational expenses of the cadre in Tamil Nadu, which had allegedly conspired to siphon off Rs 42.28 crore from a dormant bank account in Mumbai. The siphoned money was allegedly intended to revive the defunct outfit.
The ED further claimed that from the “seed and sustenance” funds, the cadre, including Franciska, handed over two post-dated cheques of Rs 1 lakh each to retired Additional Judge of the Madras High Court, Justice N. Kannadasan, according to the agency’s findings. Kannadasan allegedly handed over one of the cheques to his junior associate, G.V. Bharathy, but the amount could not be withdrawn as the cheque bounced due to insufficient balance. The ED said it could not proceed against Justice Kannadasan due to insufficient evidence.
The ED began its PMLA probe based on a case first taken up by the Tamil Nadu CID wing and later pursued by the NIA. The NIA named Umakanthan, a Denmark-based former cadre of the banned outfit, as the alleged mastermind behind the plot. According to the ED, Umakanthan sent Franciska to India to siphon off Rs 42.28 crore lying idle in a dormant bank account in the name of the late Hamida A. Lalljee at the Indian Overseas Bank’s Mumbai branch. Hamida’s son, Iskandar Altaf Lalljee, is the Joint Managing Director of Sud-Chemie India Pvt. Ltd. (SCIL).
In a letter dated November 21, 2025, the ED said the accused, Letchumanan Mary Franciska, had allegedly fraudulently secured multiple Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar, PAN, a ration-linked rental agreement and an Indian passport, despite being a foreign national. Her voter ID reportedly continues to remain active in the Virugambakkam Assembly constituency, and the ED sought its revocation.
