‘Gen Z will ensure my victory...’ What did Vijay’s first campaign since the Karur stampede entail?

Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Sunday returned to active campaigning for the 2026 Assembly election for the first time since the deadly Karur stampede on 27 September, using the comeback event to sharply criticise the ruling DMK and outline his party’s ideological priorities.

The actor-turned-politician addressed party cadre, supporters and local residents at an indoor auditorium in Sunguvarchattiram, Kanchipuram district. The closed-door event, held at an educational institution, marked a significant resumption of political activity after nearly two months of subdued public engagements.

Vijay used the platform to launch a pointed attack on the DMK, accusing the ruling party of “loot” and indirectly referencing dynasty politics. He ridiculed what he described as the DMK’s “pretension” and said the party had no moral authority to question TVK’s ideology.

Responding to criticism about the ideological clarity of his fledgling party, Vijay asserted that the TVK was founded on firm ideological pillars rooted in “equality”. He highlighted the party’s demand for a caste census as part of that agenda.

He also took aim at the DMK’s stance on NEET, saying the TVK did not make “empty claims” about ending the exam. Instead, he argued, a serious solution required shifting education from the concurrent list to the state list under the Constitution — a position he said his party has been consistently advocating.