Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president and actor C. Joseph Vijay and other leaders during the announcement of TVK candidate list in Chennai on March 29, 2026. Photo: Special Arrangement
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor C. Joseph Vijay, on Sunday (March 29, 2026) announced his party’s candidates for the ensuing Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Vijay is set to make his electoral debut from two constituencies – Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchi East.
The DMK has fielded incumbent MLA R.D. Shekar from Perambur, while in the AIADMK front, the constituency has been allocated to the PMK led by Anbumani. At Tiruchi East, the DMK has fielded incumbent MLA Inigo Irudayaraj, while the AIADMK has fielded K. Rajasekaran.
Bussy Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and others
TVK general secretary ‘Bussy’ N. Anand will contest from T. Nagar in Chennai, while K.A. Sengottaiyan, a nine-time former AIADMK MLA, who joined TVK a few months ago, will test the waters from his home turf, Gobichettipalayam and his supporter former Tiruppur MP V. Sathyabama is contesting from Tiruppur North. Former AIADMK Agriculture Minister Ku.Pa. Krishnan is contesting from Lalgudi.
Other prominent candidates include party general secretary (election campaign management) Aadhav Arjuna from Villivakkam; general secretary (policy and propaganda) K.G. Arunraaj from Tiruchengode; joint general secretary C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar from Thirupparankundram; party treasurer P. Venkataramanan from Mylapore; and former AIADMK MLA J.C.D. Prabhakar from Thousand Lights.
Former MLA V.S. Babu is contesting from Kolathur, where DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is seeking election for the fourth time. D. Selvam, who was the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee general secretary and joined TVK two days ago will take on DMK youth wing secretary and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin at Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.
Deputy general secretaries of the party, M. Arul Prakasam and A. Rajmohan, will contest from Saidapet and Egmore (Reserved), respectively. N. Marie Wilson, who is associated with a leading self-financing educational institution in Chennai, will contest from R.K. Nagar.
TVK’s poll manifesto for the youth
Announcing the election manifesto for youth, Mr. Vijay said dedicated efforts will be taken to curb the drug menace through a community policy and the establishment of Anti-Narcotic Drug Clubs in schools and college.
Collateral-free education loans of up to ₹20 lakh will be provided for students pursuing studies from Class 12 to Ph.D. A Tamil Nadu Recruitment Accountability and Transparency Act will be enacted to ensure fairness and transparency in recruitment processes conducted by TNPSC, TRB, and TNEB, he said.
An unemployment allowance will be provided for those aged above 29, with ₹4,000 for graduates and ₹2,000 for diploma holders. Internship opportunities will be created for 5 lakh youth through MSMEs, with a monthly stipend of ₹10,000 for graduates and ₹8,000 for ITI students, Mr. Vijay said.
Under the Vetri Entrepreneurship Scheme, collateral-free loans of up to ₹25 lakh will be offered to encourage entrepreneurship. Through ‘Namadhu Ooril Namakae Velaivaippu’ scheme, a Tamil Employment Credit System will be introduced, offering incentives to companies that employ at least 75% Tamil workers, including a 2.5% SGST concession and a 5% concession on electricity charges, he said.
A new post titled ‘Mudhalvar Makkal Sevai Nanbar’ will be created to deliver services at people’s doorsteps, generating 5 lakh jobs with a stipend of ₹18,000. A Tamil Nadu Youth Advisory Council will be established as a platform for policy related ideas suggestions, making Tamil Nadu a pioneering State in youth participation, he said.
Under the Creatreprenur Initiative, Tamil Nadu’s culture will be promoted globally through digital collaboration, and the establishment of 500 creatreprenur schools, Mr. Vijay added.
Published – March 29, 2026 12:31 pm IST
