Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay announced on Sunday, October 27, 2024, his party’s intent to combat divisive and corrupt forces in Tamil Nadu, asserting that TVK will tackle “sectarian forces” with ideological opposition and take on corrupt “Dravidian model”-claiming parties through political means. Vijay also indicated that TVK would consider power-sharing with political allies who approach the party during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
At the first State-level TVK conference in V. Salai, near Vikravandi in Villupuram district, Vijay addressed an expansive audience of party supporters. Without directly naming any specific entities, he emphasized his commitment to fighting “sectarian and corrupt forces.” Speaking on the party’s ideological stance, Vijay stated, “The moment we declared ‘Pirapokkum ella uyirukkum’ (all beings are equal by birth) as the foundation of our ideology, we not only positioned ourselves clearly against sectarian politics but also exposed our ideological enemies. Our people know very well who should come here and who shouldn’t, as Tamil Nadu has been the land of secular principles.”
Vikravandi transformed into a lively setting for the conference, attracting a massive crowd. Attendees were surrounded by a festive atmosphere, as the event marked a significant declaration in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Vijay’s statements reiterated his dedication to TVK’s secular and socially inclusive principles, which have become central to his political vision.
Targeting what he described as a “self-serving family group,” Vijay expressed his disapproval of those who claim to follow the philosophies of Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna but, in his view, exploit their names for personal and political gain. He condemned these groups, which he accused of misappropriating the legacy of the Dravidian movement for their benefit, saying, “Our next enemy, the political enemy, is a self-serving family group, which is scraping and looting Tamil Nadu invoking the names of Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna, in the garb of Dravida model.”
Additionally, Vijay criticized parties who present themselves as anti-fascist but, according to him, maintain hidden alliances with the same forces they publicly denounce. He mocked these politicians, arguing that their main activity appears to be fueling a “majority-minority divide,” despite Tamil Nadu’s historical unity. Addressing their seemingly contradictory approach, Vijay remarked, “Some people’s full-time job is to create a fear about majority-minority divide among people, who are united, screaming fascism, fascism, fascism,” adding a humorous jab, “if they are fascism, are you payasam (sweet)?”
In a strong call to action, Vijay urged voters to support TVK in the upcoming elections, drawing a vivid analogy between each vote cast for TVK’s symbol and a powerful tool for change. Anticipating the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Vijay referred to it as a “democratic war” and expressed confidence in his party’s capacity to challenge the current political establishment. “The time is not too far for us to face those who are corrupt and cheat people,” he stated. Vijay continued, “The Election Commission of India, in 2026, will decide the date for the democratic war. On that day, every vote of the people to TVK’s symbol in all the 234 constituencies will be like a bomb.”
Vijay advocated for a caste census, underlining the importance of proportionate representation in education and employment. He argued that such measures are vital to fostering social equity in Tamil Nadu. Confident of TVK’s potential electoral success, Vijay asserted that the party would emerge with a clear majority in the 2026 Assembly elections, though he noted an openness to alliances and power-sharing arrangements with parties that share TVK’s vision and approach the party for collaboration.