Chennai: The police have once again refused permission for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor-politician Vijay to hold his campaign in Trichy, according to media reports. This marks the second time approval for the programme has been denied.

Following the rejection, TVK general secretary Anand announced that he would submit a petition to the Director General of Police (DGP) seeking approval for Vijay’s proposed campaign.

When was the campaign planned?

Vijay was scheduled to begin his election tour across Tamil Nadu from Trichy on 13 September. The campaign is being organised in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections.

The plan was for Vijay to campaign across constituencies in 10 districts over a week to 10 days, with roadshows and open van speeches lined up in major cities. A specially designed campaign vehicle had also been readied for the tour.

Why was permission denied?

The TVK leadership had requested approval to conduct the programme at the Chathiram bus stand in Trichy. Anand, in his letter to City Police Commissioner N Kamini, stressed that the party would abide by the rules and regulations, and assured that the public and traffic would not be disturbed. He also noted that Vijay would tour the city via TVS Tolgate, Head Post Office, Melapudur, Palakkarai, and Marakkadai, where cadres and the public were expected to join.

However, Commissioner Kamini reportedly refused the request, explaining that the bus stand was a key traffic junction and that a campaign there could cause congestion. She advised TVK to pick an alternative location and submit a revised application.

Later, when TVK requested permission for the second time in the Tollgate area, it was also denied.

How has TVK responded?

The repeated denial sparked strong reactions among TVK leaders, cadres, and Vijay fans on social media. A hashtag criticising Chief Minister MK Stalin trended widely, questioning whether the ruling party was afraid to grant permission.

Aadhav Arjuna, TVK general secretary for the election campaign, alleged that the DMK government was deliberately attempting to obstruct Vijay’s political outreach through the police.

(With agency inputs)