‘Fake news’: TVK leader Sengottaiyan dismisses defection talk, backs Vijay for 2026

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Vetri Party (TVK) has announced a consultation meeting of its election campaign committee as part of preparations for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

According to a statement issued by N Anand, General Secretary of the Party Headquarters Secretariat, the meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 4 pm at the party’s headquarters secretariat in Chennai. The meeting will focus on planning consultation sessions and campaign meetings across all 234 Assembly constituencies at both state and district levels. The party clarified that only members of the election campaign committee will participate in this meeting, with the approval of party chairman Vijay.

Amid these organisational developments, senior TVK leader and former minister K A Sengottaiyan on Tuesday dismissed reports suggesting that he was being sidelined within the party or was considering a move to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Calling such claims “baseless rumours” and “fake news”, Sengottaiyan reaffirmed his loyalty to TVK president Vijay and the party’s leadership.

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In a strong statement, Sengottaiyan said he remained firmly rooted in the ideological legacy of former chief ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. He credited Vijay for supporting him during a difficult phase of his political career and said the actor-politician would always hold an irreplaceable place in his heart. Expressing confidence in Vijay’s leadership, Sengottaiyan said the party cadre were united in their goal of seeing Vijay become Chief Minister in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Sengottaiyan also criticised sections of the media for publishing unverified reports, stating that spreading misinformation while claiming neutrality went against journalistic ethics. His rebuttal came in response to reports alleging internal sidelining by party leaders and speculation of a possible switch to the DMK, which he categorically denied.

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Separately, TVK held its first election campaign committee meeting in Chennai to outline the party’s manifesto framework. Led by General Secretary N Anand, the consultative meeting discussed building a manifesto centred on social justice, transparency and inclusive development. Policy and propaganda secretary Arunraaj said the committee would tour districts across Tamil Nadu to engage with associations and stakeholders and gather public feedback.

The party also announced plans to launch a dedicated website to crowdsource public suggestions and grievances, aiming to ensure the manifesto reflects people’s aspirations. TVK leaders said the final manifesto would be released formally by party chief Vijay at an appropriate time, positioning transparency and a corruption-free administration as key pillars of the party’s political vision.