Actor Vijay’s Political Debut Reshapes Tamil Nadu Politics
CHENNAI- In a major political upset, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has led the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to emerge as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, reshaping the state’s long-standing Dravidian political landscape.
The party dedicated its victory to the victims of the Karur stampede, in which 41 people lost their lives during the campaign. “We dedicate this historic victory to the families of the 41 people we lost in Karur,” said Aadhava Arjuna, a leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
He attributed the party’s success to strong emotional support, particularly from women voters. “Women saw Vijay as their son, brother, and family. They trusted him as an emotional and reliable leader, and they saw our candidates as part of their own families,” Arjuna said.
Arjuna described the verdict as a “revolution” that has ended over five decades of dominance by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). He also alleged that the DMK bore responsibility for the Karur tragedy and accused rival parties of spreading misinformation that TVK would fail to make an electoral impact.
Sources indicated that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is taking precautions to prevent possible post-poll defections, with party legislators likely to be housed at a private resort near Chennai. The move comes amid concerns over potential horse-trading in a fractured mandate scenario, even as the results have triggered political recalibration in the state.
The Indian National Congress has reportedly sent a detailed assessment to its leadership, including party president Mallikarjuna Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, suggesting the possibility of aligning with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Congress MP Karthi Chidambaram congratulated C. Joseph Vijay and acknowledged the scale of the mandate and the shifting aspirations of the electorate.
Vijay’s success is being viewed as distinct from previous attempts by film actors to enter politics, including Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Unlike them, Vijay built a campaign centered on youth mobilization, anti-incumbency sentiment, and a strong “change” narrative. (IANS)
