Today in Politics: Actor ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay to launch party at mega rally in Tamil Nadu

Organisers are expecting around three lakh supporters at the public meeting, seen as Vijay’s definitive move to occupy the political vacuum that superstar Rajinikanth had once recognised but ultimately chose not to fill. While Rajinikanth’s political withdrawal left many of his supporters disheartened, Vijay’s step signals his intention to establish a new political alternative ahead of the crucial 2026 state elections.

In context: Vijay’s move into politics is not a spontaneous decision, but a carefully calculated attempt to forge a new political identity in a state historically dominated by the DMK and AIADMK. With an event that has been months in the making, Vijay is looking to fill the political vacuum left by the deaths of J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi.

In a statement leading up to the event, Vijay urged his supporters to maintain “utmost political discipline” and to pledge themselves to working for the betterment of the state. “Let us take the first step towards our goal of 2026,” he stated, referring to the upcoming state Assembly elections. The event is expected to serve as the official unveiling of the party’s ideology, key leaders, and long-term political ambitions.

However, despite the fanfare, there remains a notable absence of prominent political figures or high-profile supporters joining Vijay’s movement as of now.

Recommended reading: As Vijay takes political plunge with mega rally in Tamil Nadu, can he fill the vacuum left by Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi?

PM to meet Spanish president

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez will be on his first official visit to India from October 27-29 during which he will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as per a Ministry of External Affairs statement.

The two leaders will inaugurate a collaborative aviation sector project in Vadodara on Sunday, and are expected to sign a number of agreements to boost bilateral ties.

Amit Shah in Bengal

After Amit Shah arrived in West Bengal on Saturday, the Union Home Minister is set to inaugurate a newly constructed passenger terminal and a cargo gate at the India-Bangladesh land border crossing at Petrapole in the North 24 Parganas district on Sunday. He will also attend a programme under the Union Ministry of Cooperation, another portfolio he holds, in Arambagh.

The BJP also said Shah will attend the party’s membership drive programme, besides holding organisational meetings with the state BJP leadership, party sources said. Besides Bengal, the party is also launching a membership drive in Jammu and Kashmir, where the BJP emerged as the second largest party in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

– With PTI inputs