Vijay’s TVK to join NDA ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu polls?

Chennai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has addressed the growing speculation over actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) potentially joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

In a recent interview with a Tamil daily, Shah responded carefully when questioned about TVK’s inclusion in the NDA, stating, “everything will become clear in some time as there is still enough time for the elections.” While he did not confirm any alliance, he notably did not dismiss the possibility either.

TVK reiterates ideological opposition to BJP

Despite the NDA’s overtures in Tamil Nadu, Vijay’s TVK has consistently maintained its ideological opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ruling out any alliance for the upcoming Assembly polls.

At TVK’s debut public rally held in Vikravandi on 27 October 2024, Vijay had underlined the party’s ideological stance. He emphasised TVK’s unwavering commitment to secularism and social justice, clearly signalling his intention to pursue an independent political path.

This statement came amidst ongoing efforts by NDA leaders, including Shah, to bring TVK into their fold.

A senior TVK leader, speaking to The Federal, reinforced the party’s position. “Our leader Vijay is very serious about taking on the BJP and RSS. At any cost he would not think of joining with them, not even post-poll alliance,” the leader said.

Vijay, who recently announced his retirement from films to fully focus on his political journey, has been actively building TVK’s grassroots organisational structure.

TVK seeks independent identity amid Dravidian dominance

Political analysts suggest that TVK’s reluctance to align with the BJP stems from a strategic goal to carve out its own space in Tamil Nadu’s deeply entrenched and polarised political field, long dominated by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

While the NDA, led in Tamil Nadu by the AIADMK, is looking to strengthen its alliance ahead of the polls, TVK appears focused on creating its own identity, possibly aligning with smaller regional outfits instead of the BJP or the Dravidian majors.

TVK’s focus on secularism and social justice, along with Vijay’s widespread popularity as a Tamil cinema icon, positions the party as a potential third force in the state.

However, experts caution that Tamil Nadu’s longstanding Dravidian political structure leaves little room for new contenders.

Ambiguity in NDA leadership in Tamil Nadu

The AIADMK, which re-entered the NDA in April 2024 after a brief split in 2023, remains a key partner in the alliance. However, Amit Shah notably refrained from backing AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami as the coalition’s chief ministerial candidate, adding further uncertainty to the leadership dynamics within the NDA.

(With agency inputs)