Tamilaga Vetri Kzhagam (TVK) officially announced actor-turned-politician Vijay as their Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on Friday. Speaking at a TVK meeting, Vijay made it clear that his party will never ally with the BJP, neither publicly nor behind closed doors. Vijay emphatically stated that neither he nor his party shares the ideologies of the BJP. He ruled out any possibility of joining hands with the saffron party, stating, 'The saffron party may sow seeds of discord elsewhere, but not in Tamil Nadu.'
He added, 'Victory in Tamil Nadu cannot be achieved by opposing or disrespecting Anna and Periyar. TVK is neither DMK nor AIADMK that might align with the BJP.' He also emphasized that TVK will consistently oppose both DMK and BJP. The party has entrusted Vijay with complete authority to decide on any alliances before the elections. TVK also pledged to expand its membership base, aiming for two crore members in the state.
Vijay plans a comprehensive tour across Tamil Nadu from September to December, engaging with citizens and gathering support. TVK's second state conference is slated for August, anticipated to disclose future party strategies. Besides election plans, the party passed various resolutions on crucial issues. TVK demanded the central government reclaim Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka and criticized attempts to conceal findings at Keeladi, which Vijay's party claims reveal a Tamil civilization over 2000 years old.
TVK condemned the central government and BJP for their handling of farmer protests in Delhi and urged the Tamil Nadu government not to implement the proposed Melma SIPCOT industrial expansion plan. The party vowed to advocate for the rights of common farmers in Krishnagiri, Theni, Thiruvallur, Salem, and Dindigul, while criticizing Chief Minister MK Stalin's letters to the central government as inadequate solutions to farmers' issues.
