TIRUCHY: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Thursday launched his campaign shortly after filing his nomination from Tiruchy East, alleging that there was “no difference” between the DMK and the BJP and claiming that the two parties were in an “indirect alliance”.
Addressing a gathering near Marakadai junction on West Boulevard Road, a constituency where minority votes are considered significant, Vijay accused both parties of misleading voters.
“There is no difference between the DMK and the BJP. An indirect alliance exists,” he said, adding that minority communities were being deceived through the DMK’s association with the Congress. He further alleged that “a few Congress leaders” had been influenced by money.
Elaborating on his claims, Vijay said that while the DMK functioned with the support of certain Congress leaders, the BJP-led alliance, which he described as a “half-saffron” front, was also indirectly aligned with the ruling party.
Urging voters to remain cautious, he said, “Do not trust the DMK or the BJP. If you vote for either, remember they are the same,” while reiterating that the electoral contest in Tamil Nadu would be a direct fight between the DMK and the TVK.
Breaking his silence on the controversy surrounding his film Jana Nayagan, Vijay alleged that attempts were being made to restrict its reach due to fears over its potential electoral influence. He claimed that there was a “collusive conspiracy” involving both state and central forces.
Raising civic concerns, Vijay pointed to an ongoing LPG shortage, stating that it had disrupted daily life and affected small businesses.
Taking a swipe at Chief Minister M K Stalin, Vijay alleged that the government was downplaying the crisis. “For a gas cylinder crisis affecting people in the state, the chief minister does not go to Delhi to raise the issue. But when there is a raid involving a minister in Tamil Nadu, he goes to Delhi,” Vijay remarked.
Earlier in the day, Vijay filed his nomination at the Zone 2 Corporation office at around 12.25 pm before the returning officer. He began his campaign address at approximately 12.39 pm and concluded it by 12.54 pm, keeping the speech brief.
The campaign witnessed a relatively subdued turnout compared to his public meeting at the same venue in September 2025. While supporters gathered at the venue, the overall crowd was visibly smaller. The afternoon heat, hovering around 36°C, added to the strain, with a few attendees allegedly experiencing discomfort due to overcrowding and limited access to water. Organisers later distributed water and glucose packets.