Tamil Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay on Friday kicked off his much-anticipated electoral campaign for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, beginning with a massive rally in Trichy.
The city wore a festive look with TVK flags and banners as cadres turned out in large numbers to welcome the cine-star turned politician. Vijay will embark on a statewide tour covering all districts, holding a series of people’s meetings in the run-up to the polls.
Ahead of the campaign, TVK General Secretary Anand issued detailed guidelines to ensure smooth conduct of events. Cadres were instructed not to trail Vijay’s convoy, while vulnerable groups—including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and persons with disabilities—were urged to watch the events live from home instead of attending in person.
The party also discouraged bursting crackers or extravagant receptions, stressed on avoiding traffic disruptions, and emphasized discipline, law and order. It further reminded supporters to comply with the Madras High Court’s order against unauthorised banners, arches, and flagpoles on public roads.
The launch of Vijay’s campaign comes weeks after a police case was registered in Perambalur against the TVK chief and his bouncers over alleged mishandling of a supporter. Meanwhile, BJP state president K. Annamalai had earlier remarked that while the BJP and Vijay’s party differed ideologically, his political entry was “welcomed.”
Positioning TVK as a third front in Tamil Nadu politics, Vijay has declared that the 2026 contest would primarily be between the ruling DMK and his party. He pledged that TVK’s focus would be on women’s safety, youth empowerment, and support for farmers, transgender persons, and the differently-abled.
Formed in 2024, TVK will be contesting its first Assembly elections in 2026, seeking to challenge the dominance of DMK and AIADMK in the state’s political landscape.
