Tamil film star Vijay, who launched his political party Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) eight months ago, stirred political waters with his recent public rally, where he took a direct dig at the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and alleged corrupt practices within the party. Vijay, in his maiden speech at Villupuram, criticized both DMK and BJP, condemning dynastic politics and what he described as “underground dealings” aimed at looting the state’s resources.
Without explicitly naming the BJP or DMK, Vijay accused “a certain group” of perpetuating a facade of unity while creating a divisive environment based on religious and regional lines. Referring to “saffronizing” new entrants in politics, Vijay implied that BJP and DMK shared an agenda aimed at painting any opposing figure with a similar brush to suit their political narratives. Vijay stated, “They keep talking about fascism. If you accuse them (BJP) of fascism, then are you (DMK) ‘payasam’ (sweet dish)?” He criticized the DMK’s self-proclaimed “Dravidian model” of government, calling it misleading and anti-people.
Highlighting TVK’s mission, Vijay declared that his party opposes divisive politics and corruption, both of which he claims are spreading like a virus in Tamil Nadu. He stressed that TVK would stand apart by preserving both Dravidian and Tamil nationalism, viewing them as essential to the state’s identity and likening them to “the two eyes of our soil.”
In a strong statement about his stance, Vijay noted that he would not mislead the public by positioning his party as an alternative force merely for the sake of gaining political clout. He asserted that his intention was to bring about a clean, principled form of politics, distancing himself from labels and alliances with existing power players. “We won’t fool anyone by saying alternative politics or alternative force,” Vijay stated. “I didn’t come here as extra luggage. Every step will be taken with political decency.”
With his eyes set on the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Vijay expressed confidence that his party would secure a majority. He also left the door open to potential alliances, stating that TVK would be willing to share power if it partnered with others to form a government.
The DMK swiftly countered Vijay’s comments. Senior DMK leader TKS Elangovan dismissed the accusations, asserting that no proven case of corruption existed against the DMK. “The accusations of corruption are baseless,” he said. Elangovan defended DMK’s leadership, attributing MK Stalin’s position to his dedication, and argued that Udhayanidhi MK Stalin, MK Stalin’s son, was also proving his capabilities in politics. He further criticized Vijay’s speech, stating that the actor lacked concrete policies and had used the public platform solely to attack DMK.
Udhayanidhi MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister and a longtime friend of Vijay, extended his good wishes to him prior to the rally, underscoring their close personal connection. He shared that Vijay’s career had long been associated with his production house and wished him success in his political journey. BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, however, welcomed Vijay’s criticism of DMK as his “political enemy” and expressed hope that Vijay’s opposition would help challenge what she termed as DMK’s “arrogance.” However, she also mentioned that Vijay misunderstood BJP’s development-focused approach as divisive and claimed that his promises echoed initiatives already implemented by the BJP.
AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan provided a mixed reaction, describing Vijay’s political debut as “old wine in a new bottle” but acknowledging the actor’s potential to bring a fresh dimension to Tamil Nadu politics. Sathyan emphasized AIADMK’s distinction as the “true Dravidian party” compared to DMK, and suggested that Vijay’s entry into politics would challenge MK Stalin’s plans to see Udhayanidhi as the Chief Ministerial candidate in 2026. “Vijay is going to give sleepless nights to MK Stalin,” he said, predicting intense media competition between Udhayanidhi and Vijay.
The emergence of Vijay as a vocal political figure has added a new layer of complexity to Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. As he positions TVK against corruption and divisive politics, his entry could disrupt traditional power dynamics, sparking speculation over alliances, rivalries, and potential shifts in voter loyalties ahead of the 2026 elections.
