CHENNAI: Actor-turned-politician Vijay has declared that the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election will be a direct contest between his newly launched party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), and the ruling DMK.
Speaking at a public meeting in the coastal district of Nagapattinam, Vijay adopted a confrontational tone, alleging that electricity was being disconnected wherever he goes. “Will they do this if Modi comes?” he questioned, adding a stern warning: “Don’t try to intimidate me. We will see in the election.”
Vijay also took aim at Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s recent foreign trips, questioning whether they were to attract foreign investment for the state or for the family’s own investments abroad. “Let’s see who wins,” he challenged, “you who have looted Tamil families, or me, who is a part of every family.”
The TVK leader also claimed that his public meetings were being obstructed with unnecessary conditions. He explained that his rallies are scheduled on Saturdays to avoid causing inconvenience to the public and to allow people to get a day off.
In light of the Madras High Court’s recent criticism of roadshows that disrupt public life, TVK’s arrangements for the Nagapattinam rally were noticeably cautious. Vijay, however, thrilled the crowd by raising a ‘Vel’ (spear) gifted by his supporters and took nearly an hour to cover the final 250 meters of his route.
