TVK president Vijay seen with his party symbol ‘Bigil’ during the party event in Chennai on January 25, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Pitching his party’s stance against both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Sunday (January 25, 2026) said neither the “evil force” nor the “corrupt force” should rule Tamil Nadu.
This was the first time the actor-politician spoke critically about the AIADMK, without explicitly naming the party but referring to it as “the party that ruled Tamil Nadu earlier”.
Addressing TVK functionaries at a private resort in Mamallapuram, nearly 60 km south of Chennai, Mr. Vijay alleged, “The party that ruled Tamil Nadu earlier surrendered directly to the BJP and could not be trusted. The present ruling DMK is one step worse. The former surrenders directly, while the latter surrenders covertly. That is the only difference.”
According to him, these parties were releasing colourful and attractive announcements, in view of the upcoming elections, to prevent their real intentions from being exposed. The people of Tamil Nadu were now under pressure because they had been repeatedly cheated by parties that ruled alternately. “Now, people are trusting TVK and believe that Vijay will stand with them,” he claimed.
Mr. Vijay promised to provide a corruption-free government if his party was voted to power and said he would never compromise on corrupt practices. He contended TVK was the only party that had the strength to oppose the parties which have been in the seat of power in Tamil Nadu.
He told party functionaries it was not enough for people to have confidence in him alone. Those who travel with him should also earn the confidence of the people.
He urged the functionaries to remain steadfast and united in carrying out election-related work. Referring to former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai’s slogan “Makkalidam Sel” (reach out to the people), he said the party sincerely adopted this principle and that party workers should implement it properly.
He alleged the party founded by Annadurai (the DMK) had become selfish and the party formed in Annadurai’s name (the AIADMK), both have also forgotten the late leader.
He claimed for the ruling party and the party that ruled earlier, a polling booth was merely a place to cast bogus votes. But for TVK, a polling booth was a democratic assembly, he said, and urged party workers to ensure democracy was not stolen.
He described booth-level agents as the party’s frontline warriors. The upcoming election, he said, was not just another election but a “democratic battle” that would be led by grassroots-level functionaries as commanders.
He also urged party workers to extend full cooperation to the candidates to be announced by the party and said whether with or without an alliance, his party would emerge victorious.
Published – January 25, 2026 03:18 pm IST
