As Vijay steps into Tamil Nadu’s crowded political arena, questions linger on ideology – and heft

Vijay’s political journey is being closely watched, with many wondering how his party will fit into the state’s deeply entrenched Dravidian political framework.

In a statement released on Friday, Vijay said his party’s ideology, leadership, and action plan would be revealed at the October 27 conference. “Our policies and policy-oriented programmes will sow new hope in the political arena of Tamil Nadu, fulfilling the great expectations of our people,” Vijay said, seeking support from the public.

Despite Vijay’s stature as the first superstar since MGR to venture into politics, political observers say it cannot be claimed that he is launching his party with resounding force. Unlike MGR’s politicised fan base or the formidable political networks built by Vijayakanth before his party’s launch in 2005, Vijay’s TVK is yet to attract any prominent faces from the political, bureaucratic or cinema world. Bussy Anand, who used to be the powerful general secretary of Vijay’s fan club, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, remains the most notable figure within the party ranks.

Former DMK leader K S Radhakrishnan and ex-AIADMK leader Pazha Karuppaiah – both of whom have had interactions with Vijay’s camp – are yet to publicly commit to TVK. Neither are seen as heavyweights or leaders with constituencies. Furthermore, despite early rumours suggesting a potential appearance by Rahul Gandhi at TVK’s rally, top Congress sources have denied any such involvement.

This lack of political heft and seasoned allies raises questions about the sustainability of Vijay’s political ambitions. The parents of Snowlin, who was among those killed in police firing against the Thoothukudi anti-Sterlite protest, joining the TVK recently has been the only grassroots appeal so far.

Vijay’s political aspirations have long been the subject of speculation. Since launching TVK, his every move has been scrutinised for clues about his party’s ideological stance. Unlike his predecessors, who often took clear positions early on, Vijay has remained somewhat ambiguous in his messaging. This has both piqued interest and raised questions about the potential impact of his entry into Tamil Nadu’s crowded political field, which is dominated by two Dravidian majors, DMK and the AIADMK.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he chose to keep his party out of the fray. TVK’s emblem, a red-and-yellow flag featuring two elephants and a vakai flower (Albizia lebbeck) encircled by stars, was unveiled on August 22, along with a stirring anthem that echoed Tamil pride. But the party’s full platform remains to be seen, with insiders hinting that the October 27 rally will offer a clearer sense of its direction.

While some anticipate that Vijay’s TVK may form alliances with smaller parties like the VCK or the Left, the BJP believes that Vijay’s entry will only affect the DMK. But the ruling DMK calculates that even if a strong anti-government wave sets in before the 2026 assembly polls, his entry would only favour the ruling coalition as the opposition votes would get split with many players such as the AIADMK, BJP, Seeman’s NTK and Vijay’s party standing alone.