Chennai: As the assembly elections loom in Tamil Nadu, major political parties are strategizing to secure power. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is laying out plans to achieve victory, while the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is also making efforts to return to power. In the midst of this political landscape, actor Vijay’s party, Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), is being considered for its potential influence in the upcoming elections. This situation has prompted significant remarks from Annamalai, the former president of the Tamil Nadu BJP, and Congress MP Karti Chidambaram regarding Vijay, stirring further interest in Tamil Nadu’s political arena.
During a recent roundtable meeting organized by India Today, Annamalai stated that the BJP does not underestimate TVK Vijay. He noted that there is a possibility of people being attracted to Vijay, particularly the younger demographic in Tamil Nadu. Annamalai acknowledged Vijay’s popularity but pointed out that the actor lacks political experience. He emphasized that many current MLAs have won elections multiple times and have served as ministers, suggesting that Vijay would struggle to exert influence over these seasoned politicians. Drawing a parallel to Bihar, Annamalai mentioned Prashant Kishor’s party, which, despite initial popularity, faced a significant defeat in the elections, indicating a similar fate for Vijay.
As Tamil Nadu gears up for the 2026 elections, Annamalai believes these elections will be pivotal for change, with the people of rural areas yearning for transformation. He remarked that for the past 50 years, the Modi name has not been associated with Gandhi, but over the last 12 years, Modi has gradually made his mark, which could influence voter sentiment in the upcoming elections.
On the other hand, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram made critical remarks regarding TVK Vijay, asserting that achieving success in elections requires a well-structured party organization and ground-level machinery, which he claims Vijay currently lacks. Karti emphasized that Vijay would not have a significant impact in the elections. In response to BJP’s focus, he reiterated that Modi is not a deciding factor in the Tamil Nadu elections, as voters primarily consider the chief ministerial candidate when casting their votes. He also expressed skepticism about the grassroots acceptance of Hindutva politics among the people.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Vijay to contest in the upcoming assembly elections. Reports suggest that he is evaluating constituencies starting with the letter ‘V,’ coinciding with the initial of his name. With TVK already announcing Vijay as their chief ministerial candidate, there is growing curiosity about which constituency he will choose to contest. Some of the areas under consideration reportedly include Velachery in Chennai, Virugambakkam, Vikravandi in Viluppuram district, Vedharanyam in Nagapattinam district, and Vedasandur in Dindigul district. Notably, Vijay’s parents reside in Virugambakkam, while Velachery is conveniently located near his residence and party office.
As the political landscape in Tamil Nadu continues to evolve, the interplay between established parties and emerging figures like Vijay promises to make the upcoming elections both intriguing and competitive.
