CHENNAI: Actor Vijay has officially declared that his political party, "Thamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam" (TVK), will participate in the 2026 assembly general election. He made it clear that his party will neither contest in the 2024 parliament general election nor support any party. Through the official announcement, he put an end to speculations about his political entry that have been on for the last few months.
In his capacity as the president of TVK, Vijay acknowledged the social service undertaken by the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, the actor's fan club. He emphasised the necessity of a political entity, stating that a voluntary organisation alone cannot bring about comprehensive social, economic, and political reforms; political power is essential.
Highlighting the current political scenario, the actor said, “Administrative malpractices and "corrupt political culture" on one hand, and "divisive political culture" which strives to divide our people into the lines of caste and religion, on the other hand, are posing challenges to our unity and progress.”
Elaborating on the expectations of the people of Tamil Nadu, Vijay said, “It is a fact that everyone, especially in Tamil Nadu, is yearning for a fundamental political change that can lead to a selfless, transparent, caste-free, visionary, corruption-free efficient administration.”
Most importantly, politics should be based on the principles held close in Tamil Nadu, that all are equal in birth.
He further added that such a fundamental political change can only be made possible by one who has gained the love and affection of the people.
Providing insights about his political party, he said that on his behalf, steps were taken to register the Thamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam with ECI on Friday. He further added that earlier the party’s president and office bearers of party headquarters were elected during the general body and executive committee meeting and the body’s approval was received for the party’s by-laws as well.
He also said that his political journey of public meetings will commence after the completion of political party registration with ECI and the completion of the parliament general election.
Vijay stated that politics is not just another career move. He added that he has been preparing himself for politics for a long time by studying lessons from many people.
“Politics is not a hobby for me; That is my deepest desire. I want to fully involve myself in it,” he underscored and added that to ensure uninterrupted political works, he is going to complete the films he had committed to.
Will Vijay’s party split anti-incumbency votes?
Vijay said the party’s president and office bearers were elected during the general body and executive committee meeting and the body’s approval was received for the party’s by-laws as well. He added that his political journey of public meetings will commence after the completion of the party registration and the upcoming parliamentary election.
Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha MP AW Rabi Bernad said the impact of Vijay’s political entry can only be assessed after the parliamentary polls. “After considering the voting pattern in terms of the vote share gained by the first three positions, we may be able to assess how much leeway he has to break into the political space at this time.”
If there is a huge difference between the first two places, Vijay will easily fill the vacuum, he added.
Veteran political journalist Raghavendra Ara interpreted Vijay’s mention of “administrative malpractices and corrupt political culture” him training his guns on the DMK.
“If he manages to split the anti-incumbency votes it would destroy the prospects of the AIADMK too, which is looking to mobilise all anti-incumbency votes to beat DMK in 2026,” he added.
Vijay has made little secret of his political ambitions and has been laying the foundation for the shift in recent years. In a 2011 interview, he said he was certain about doing something for the people but the time was not yet right. “This is not a game. We have transformed the fan club to Makkal Iyakkam. The groundwork for a transformation is on,” he had said.
In his last interview — the first in a decade — ahead of the release of ‘Beast’ (2022), when director Nelson asked if he was looking to shift from being a thalapathy (commander) to a thalaivar (leader), Vijay said his fans had made him a thalapathy and the fans should decide if they want to see him as a thalaivar. In 2021, 129 members of VMI were elected in the rural local body polls. In June 2023, he met students who had performed well in Class 10 and 12 exams and advised them against receiving cash for votes. After the recent floods in Thoothukudi, he distributed relief kits there.
His ambitions have run him into controversy, with BJP leader H Raja raking up Vijay’s religious identity as a Christian to slam the criticism of GST and digital India in Mersal in 2017. In response, the actor issued a statement with his full name ‘Joseph Vijay’, prompting his fans to prefix their social media user names with ‘Joseph’ in solidarity.