Actor Vijay storms into political stage

Chennai: Actor Vijay has burst onto the political stage, declaring the launch of his new party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), aiming to champion the rights of the state. The announcement sparked jubilant celebrations across the state, as supporters of Vijay distributed sweets, cut cakes, and set off fireworks, while simultaneously gearing up for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.

President of the newly-formed party, Vijay, outlined the political agenda, stating that the TVK would not align with any political party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Instead, it would focus on contesting Assembly elections with the goal of instigating fundamental political changes and fostering administrative efficiency, free from corruption — a longstanding desire of the state's populace.

Vijay emphasised the party's commitment to principles encapsulated in the motto "All are equal by birth," drawing inspiration from the immortal lines of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar, specifically, ‘Pirapokkum ella Uirukkum.’ He pledged to establish a political culture characterised by selflessness, transparency, castelessness, secularism, and freedom from corruption within the state.

Highlighting the limitations of his NGO, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, in achieving comprehensive social, economic, and political reforms, Vijay underscored that political power was essential for realising these goals.

For Vijay, politics was not merely a profession or a form of entertainment; it was a sacred commitment to public service. Expressing a deep sense of devotion and responsibility, he affirmed his dedication to immersing himself fully in serving the people.

In the current state of affairs, Vijay identified two prevailing challenges — a political culture marred by administrative inadequacies and corruption on one side, and divisive politics based on caste and religion on the other. Both, according to him, hindered unity and impeded the state's development, prompting a yearning for an efficient, honest, secular, and caste-free administrative setup.

As the TVK's registration application with the Election Commission of India is underway, Vijay plans to honour his film commitments until the formalities, including finalising the symbol and flag, are completed. Following this, he intends to fully commit to his longstanding ambition of serving the people through political means.

The party will democratically elect office-bearers, strengthen its infrastructure, and provide necessary political orientation to cadre members during this interim period. The general council and executive committee have already approved the bylaws for the new party during their meeting on January 25.

Political leaders in the state welcomed Vijay's foray into politics, with various figures expressing support and offering well-wishes. State Minister for Youth Development Udhayanidhi Stalin said he had every right to come into politics, while VCK general secretary Thol Thirumavalavan said that Vijay had progressive political views.

BJP state president K. Annamalai greeted Vijay for starting the new party to fight corruption and former minister D. Jayakumar of AIADMK said politics was a big ocean and one had to wait and watch if Vijay would manage to swim ashore or not.

Vijay's entry prompted discussions on social media, with his official handle @tvkvijayoffl trending, as fans and supporters flooded the platform with congratulatory messages. However, voices of caution were also raised, with some political figures urging Vijay to win the hearts of the people before making strides in the political arena.