Tamil superstar-turned-politician Vijay has set the Tamil Nadu political landscape ablaze with his thought-provoking speech at the first-ever Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) conference. Vijay, who founded TVK, proclaimed the BJP as his ideological opponent and the DMK as his political adversary, asserting a bold vision for Tamil Nadu that goes beyond party lines.
Addressing a massive crowd in Vikravandi, Vijay declared, “Those who create divisions within society are our first enemy. Those who exploit Tamil Nadu as a family enterprise, cloaked in Dravidian ideology, are our next rivals. The BJP is our ideological opponent, while the DMK is our political adversary.” He pledged to follow the legacies of Tamil icons like Periyar, Kamaraj, Ambedkar, Rani Velu Nachiyar, and Anjali Ammal, vowing to engage in “no adjustment politics or compromise,” advocating instead for transformative change.
Vijay’s entry into politics has raised questions about whether he can become a viable alternative to traditional opposition figures like ADMK, PMK, DMDK, and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi. Vijay’s fanbase and the success of his fan club, the All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (AITVMI), which secured 113 seats in the 2021 local body elections, suggest he could be a formidable force. Outperforming established names like Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), Vijay’s supporters view him as a fresh, disruptive candidate who can challenge the political giants DMK and AIADMK, as well as a rising BJP under K Annamalai.
The actor-politician, whose appeal resonates with Tamil Nadu’s youth and marginalized groups, emphasized his commitment to secular social justice with TVK’s tagline, “Pirappokkum Ella Uyirkum” (“All lives are equal by birth”). In his speech, Vijay fiercely criticized the ruling DMK, questioning its claims of opposing “fascism” and accusing it of deceiving people with false promises under the guise of Dravidian ideals.
Vijay’s political roots run deep, with notable activism dating back to 2009, including participation in protests like the 2013 hunger strike against the Eelam war and the 2017 Jallikattu protests. His compassion for social issues—expressed through gestures like offering condolences to families affected by the suicide of student Anitha over NEET pressures and the anti-Sterlite protests in Tuticorin—has solidified his image as a socially committed leader.
In February 2024, Vijay officially launched TVK, unveiling its flag and symbol in August at a major party event. Announcing TVK’s intention to contest all 234 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Vijay pledged to steer clear of alliances, hinting that TVK would be open to power-sharing with supporting parties if they aligned with his vision. Vijay’s entry brings a new dynamic to Tamil Nadu’s political arena, and with the 2026 elections on the horizon, all eyes are on whether this superstar can truly redefine the state’s political future.