Chennai: Tamil superstar-turned-politician and founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, is expected to contest from a constituency in the Ramanathapuram district in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Though the elections are a year away, TVK has already begun groundwork, conducting multiple surveys across constituencies to assess its prospects.
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Focus on the fishing community
Party sources indicate that Vijay is considering Ramanathapuram due to its significant coastal and fishing community population. The actor-politician has been vocal about issues affecting Tamil Nadu fishermen and has previously addressed public gatherings highlighting their struggles.
Notably, Vijay spoke at a rally in Nagapattinam against the frequent arrests of Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). During his address, he criticised both the ruling DMK government in the state and the NDA government at the Centre for their inaction on the matter.
A senior TVK leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "Vijay wants to be among the downtrodden and take up their cause as a politician. Ramanathapuram, being a coastal district constantly in the news due to the recurring arrests of fishermen, is a natural choice for him."
Prashant Kishor’s role in strategy
Election strategist Prashant Kishor, currently serving as an advisor to Vijay, is reportedly influencing this decision. Kishor was present at the first anniversary celebrations of TVK, held recently in Kancheepuram district.
Vijay, one of the most popular Tamil cinema stars of his generation, officially launched TVK on 2 February 2024. The party has positioned itself against corruption and divisive politics. Although Vijay did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he has confirmed TVK’s active participation in the 2026 Assembly polls.
TVK’s political rise
TVK’s political identity was further established on 22 August 2024, when Vijay unveiled the party’s official flag and song at its headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai. This was followed by TVK’s first major political conference on 27 October 2024 in Vikravandi, Villupuram district, where an estimated crowd of three lakh people attended.
At the Vikravandi rally, Vijay launched scathing attacks on both the DMK and BJP. He labelled the DMK as his political adversary and the BJP as his ideological opponent. He accused the DMK of being a family-run party that exploits the Dravidian identity for personal gain, while also denouncing the BJP’s divisive politics.
The DMK dismissed these allegations, claiming that Vijay was indirectly aiding the BJP. Senior DMK leaders even referred to TVK as the "C team" of the BJP, attempting to downplay its political impact.
Despite such criticism, Vijay’s political presence has been growing. His fan club-turned-political outfit, the All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (AITVMI), made an impact during the 2021 Tamil Nadu local body elections, winning 115 out of the 169 seats it contested.
Upcoming general council meeting
With momentum building, all eyes are now on TVK’s upcoming General Council meeting on 28 March. Vijay is expected to unveil the party’s electoral roadmap and future plans for the 2026 Assembly elections.
IANS
Published: 24 Mar 2025, 11:16 am IST
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