With just days to go for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections this Thursday, actor-politician Vijay has grabbed attention after a video of him praying at a church in Tiruchirapalli went viral.

In the clip, Vijay, contesting under the name C. Joseph Vijay, is seen kneeling and moving forward in prayer at St Anthony’s Church in Trichy East, shortly before beginning his campaign in the constituency.

The visit comes at a crucial moment in the election cycle, as Vijay contests from two key seats: Trichy East and Perambur, both known for their diverse voter base, including a sizeable Christian population.

Trichy East, in particular, is being closely watched due to its working-class demographic and minority vote share, making it a strategically important battleground. Meanwhile, Perambur is seen as vital for gaining traction in Chennai’s urban political landscape.

Vijay’s campaign has so far focused on issues such as anti-incumbency sentiment and allegations of corruption against the ruling DMK, positioning his party, TVK, as an alternative force in the state.

Tamil Nadu will vote across all 234 constituencies in a single phase on Thursday, with results set to be announced on May 4, 2026.

However, the viral church visit has also triggered sharp reactions from the opposition. DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson dismissed the gesture as a “photo-op”, arguing that such last-minute outreach “will not make Christians trust you”.

He further questioned Vijay’s past silence on issues concerning the Christian community, “Where were you when they burnt churches, arrested priests and nuns on fake charges, disturbed Christmas and Easter masses with hooligans?”

Wilson also raised concerns over policy matters, adding, “When the BJP brought the draconian FCRA Amendment Act to liquidate Christian missionaries and seize their properties did you remember your duty? What prevented you from speaking out?”