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Journalism of Courage
Celebrated actor C Joseph Vijay, popularly known as Vijay, is set to formally launch his political party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), at a grand state conference in Vikravandi, Villupuram district, Sunday evening — turning an idea that originated as a bid to fill the political vacuum left by the deaths of J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi into reality.
The conference, anticipated as a major political spectacle, is expected to draw crowds from across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states, likely marking a significant new chapter in the state’s evolving political stage.
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.
Meticulous arrangements have been made at the venue, with event planners setting up over 60,000 chairs and making extensive preparations for parking. Caravans have been arranged to provide resting spaces for key party figures. Despite the extensive logistics, party insiders predict that the turnout may surpass even the ambitious expectations, indicating widespread interest in Vijay’s foray into politics.
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.
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.
However, despite the fanfare, there remains a notable absence of prominent political figures or high-profile supporters joining Vijay’s movement as of now. According to sources within TVK, there are no signs of key politicians, veterans, former bureaucrats, or IPS officers aligning themselves with the party ahead of its launch, with even top party officials seemingly unaware of any potential surprises in this regard.
The one and only notable figure in TVK, other than Vijay, is Bussy Anand, who headed his fan clubs for many years.
The DMK, meanwhile, views Vijay’s entry as an extension of Periyar’s ideology, indicating that TVK may be aligning itself against the BJP’s influence in the state.
The organisational backbone of the public meeting is Vijay’s vast network of fan clubs, particularly active in suburban and rural regions, which have been instrumental in rallying supporters to Vikravandi. Organisers have disclosed that an estimated Rs 50 crore have been allocated for the event alone.
Despite this massive expenditure to prepare the conference venue, a senior TKV leader said that most attendees are coming on their own expenses.
One of the main highlights of the event will be the unveiling of the party’s flag, a vibrant combination of red, yellow, green, and blue, symbolising a blend of social justice, unity, and modernity. Vijay’s hour-long address is expected to focus on Tamil pride, nationalism, and inclusivity, presenting TVK’s vision as a bridge between traditional Dravidian values and contemporary issues like environmental concerns and education reform.
Though Vijay has yet to announce the party’s election symbol, sources confirm that TVK has applied for a common symbol with the Election Commission of India (ECI). Under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968, the party must field candidates in at least 5 percent of the state’s constituencies to be eligible for a common symbol. Vijay’s strategic planning extends to selecting symbols that resonate with TVK’s broader political message.
The venue is decked with towering cut-outs of Dravidian icons like EVR Periyar, K Kamaraj, and BR Ambedkar, indicating Vijay’s intent to draw inspiration from Dravidian principles while crafting a new political narrative.
TVK’s launch anthem, ‘Tamizhan Kodi Parakuthu… Thalaivan Yugam Porakuthu’ (The Tamil flag flies high… A leader’s time has arrived), encapsulates a sense of new political awakening. Borrowing lyrics from iconic songs sung by MG Ramachandran in the 1950s, the anthem signals a revival of Tamil aspirations, exploring the scope of a new party led by a single unifying leader, like MGR.
Vijay’s political entry is widely seen as a challenge to the two-party dominance in Tamil Nadu. While the DMK and AIADMK have long held sway, the recent political landscape has seen the emergence of new players like the BJP, under the leadership of K Annamalai, and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) led by Tamil nationalist leader Seeman. Vijay’s TVK is expected to add a fresh dimension to this evolving scenario, potentially transforming the 2026 elections into a multi-cornered contest.
While TVK is seen as a new entrant into the state politics to disrupt the state’s political status quo, the reach of Vijay’s fan base is being built to make an appeal to both traditional and modern Dravidian sentiments.
Vijay’s aspirations have been long speculated, but unlike previous actors who forayed into politics, his positioning remains unclear. However, this ambiguity fuels curiosity about TVK’s impact in a state dominated by the Dravidian majors, DMK and AIADMK.
Even as there are speculations that TVK could align with smaller parties like Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi or the Left, its outfits such Seeman’s NTK who are likely to face the maximum consequence of Vijay’s entry. While BJP circles believe that Vijay’s entry primarily concerns DMK and AIADMK, all three major parties including DMK, AIADMK and BJP will also face challenges if Vijay’s followers convert into his political project and their numbers reflect in the election system too.
