Congress has drawn a political red line for Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead of the 2029 battle, with questions intensifying over who could emerge as the Opposition’s prime ministerial face. Congress has also suggested that TVK remains more of a “fan mode” phenomenon than a serious political force. What does this mean for Vijay’s political ambitions and the evolving alliance arithmetic in Tamil Nadu?

Congress draws red line for Vijay's TVK over 2029 PM face 

Tamil Nadu’s investment plans have triggered a political confrontation between the ruling TVK government led by Chief Minister Vijay and the opposition DMK.

The TVK government says 97 MoUs were signed during the Vetri Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2026, with investment commitments from the first 100 days of the government expected to cross ₹1 lakh crore, potentially generating around 1.2 lakh jobs.

However, the DMK has questioned the claims, arguing that a significant portion of the projects were initiated or finalised during its previous tenure. Former Industries Minister TRB Rajaa also questioned the uncertainty surrounding key infrastructure projects, particularly the proposed Parandur airport and Hosur airport.

The opposition argues that major infrastructure projects are crucial for attracting new investments to Tamil Nadu and has questioned the TVK government's position on their status.

DMK Targets Vijay-Led TVK Government Over Investment Claims | Questions Raised On ₹1 Lakh Crore MoUs

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution opposing delimitation, urging the Union government to permanently retain the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats based on the population figures of the 1971 Census.

The resolution, moved by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, received support from the DMK, despite the party previously skipping Vijay’s all-party meeting on delimitation.

Vijay also called for the immediate implementation of 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, arguing that the quota should be calculated on the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats.

The Tamil Nadu government has also taken strong positions on several other issues, including NEET, the proposed FCRA amendments, and the state’s anti-drug campaign.

Vijay Leads Tamil Nadu’s Delimitation Push | Assembly Seeks 543 Lok Sabha Seats

Drawing a Jallikattu parallel, actor-politician Vijay said everyone who called him inexperienced in the political arena is now speechless. Addressing a rally at Vellore in Tamil Nadu, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief said the upcoming state polls would be a direct fight between him and Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin.


Vijay Hits Out At DMK-Led Govt in Tamil Nadu While Addressing a Rally in Vellore

"Once a lion roars, it will reverberate for 8 kilometres...Such a lion will come out only for hunting, not for wasting time... Even while hunting, it'll hunt only larger animals than itself and win... It won't touch the dead or rotten, even if hungry and desperate," this is no cinematic opening line. This is how actor-politician Vijay, one of India's highest-paid actors, began his political address in front of lakhs of his fans and supporters gathered in Madurai, the cultural capital of the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The state, which is a major growth engine of India, goes to the polls in the summer of 2026.Despite the temperatures soaring to nearly 40 degrees Celsius in Madurai, the leading actor drew massive crowds on a weekday. This is the second state-level conference of Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, which will make its electoral debut in the 2026 Assembly polls. Though the political event began well after 3 pm, crowds started gathering since the morning hours.Reiterating his one-and-a-half-year-old party TVK's political stance, Vijay said that India's ruling BJP is their ideological rival, and Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK is their political rival. "2026 is a battle between TVK and DMK," Vijay proclaimed. The newbie politician, who has over thirty years of experience as a cinema star, was unsparing in his attacks against the ruling BJP and DMK parties. Vijay also accused the BJP and DMK of being "secret allies"."Have you come to serve all our people or to conspire against Muslims? Hundreds of fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been arrested by Sri Lankan authorities. I urge you to retrieve the Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka. I urge you to abolish the horrific NEET medical entrance exam," Vijay said in his criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP party, who won their third term in 2025.Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin as "uncle" and "drama uncle", he lashed out at the DMK Government's record on liquor sales, women's safety, corruption, the drug menace in Tamil Nadu, the hardships faced by farmers and fishermen, among others. "Our goal is to send the DMK home in 2026, he added.Vijay also referred to what he called the "pathetic condition" of the AIADMK, the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu and a leading political force in the state. He claimed that even the cadre of the AIADMK were complaining about the plight of their party.Hinting about his own party's pre-poll alliance plans, Vijay reverted to the Lion analogy and said that "a lion marks its boundary... it knows to be together or be alone.. it will never lose its individuality.. Lion is always a Lion, there maybe so many jackals and other animals, but only one lion and even if it's single, it'll be king of jungle." He highlighted that his party would tirelessly fight for state rights, women's rights, social justice, equality, and secularism. &nbsp;Praising his own political plunge, Vijay stated that he has not stepped into politics after losing his market (cinema popularity) or after retiring from acting. Instead, he said that he has come with a "Powerful force (his cadre)". Comparing himself and other politicians, he said that people usually get into politics and then visit people's homes, but in my case, I've been in your homes and hearts for thirty years and have come into politics.

Vijay also referred to what he called the "pathetic condition" of the AIADMK, the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu and a leading political force in the state.

"Once a lion roars, it will reverberate for 8 kilometres...Such a lion will come out only for hunting, not for wasting time... Even while hunting, it'll hunt only larger animals than itself and win... It won't touch the dead or rotten, even if hungry and desperate," this is no cinematic opening line. This is how actor-politician Vijay, one of India's highest-paid actors, began his political address in front of lakhs of his fans and supporters gathered in Madurai, the cultural capital of the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The state, which is a major growth engine of India, goes to the polls in the summer of 2026. Despite the temperatures soaring to nearly 40 degrees Celsius in Madurai, the leading actor drew massive crowds on a weekday. This is the second state-level conference of Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, which will make its electoral debut in the 2026 Assembly polls. Though the political event began well after 3 pm, crowds started gathering since the morning hours. Reiterating his one-and-a-half-year-old party TVK's political stance, Vijay said that India's ruling BJP is their ideological rival, and Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK is their political rival. "2026 is a battle between TVK and DMK," Vijay proclaimed. The newbie politician, who has over thirty years of experience as a cinema star, was unsparing in his attacks against the ruling BJP and DMK parties. Vijay also accused the BJP and DMK of being "secret allies". "Have you come to serve all our people or to conspire against Muslims? Hundreds of fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been arrested by Sri Lankan authorities. I urge you to retrieve the Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka. I urge you to abolish the horrific NEET medical entrance exam," Vijay said in his criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP party, who won their third term in 2025. Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin as "uncle" and "drama uncle", he lashed out at the DMK Government's record on liquor sales, women's safety, corruption, the drug menace in Tamil Nadu, the hardships faced by farmers and fishermen, among others. "Our goal is to send the DMK home in 2026, he added. Vijay also referred to what he called the "pathetic condition" of the AIADMK, the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu and a leading political force in the state. He claimed that even the cadre of the AIADMK were complaining about the plight of their party. Hinting about his own party's pre-poll alliance plans, Vijay reverted to the Lion analogy and said that "a lion marks its boundary... it knows to be together or be alone.. it will never lose its individuality.. Lion is always a Lion, there maybe so many jackals and other animals, but only one lion and even if it's single, it'll be king of jungle." He highlighted that his party would tirelessly fight for state rights, women's rights, social justice, equality, and secularism. Praising his own political plunge, Vijay stated that he has not stepped into politics after losing his market (cinema popularity) or after retiring from acting. Instead, he said that he has come with a "Powerful force (his cadre)". Comparing himself and other politicians, he said that people usually get into politics and then visit people's homes, but in my case, I've been in your homes and hearts for thirty years and have come into politics.

Vijay also referred to what he called the "pathetic condition" of the AIADMK, the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu and a leading political force in the state.

In cinema style, Politician Vijay tears into DMK and BJP, amid massive crowds

Tamil actor-turned politician 'Thalapathy' Vijay is planning to organise a rally similar to Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra (Unite India rally) that had helped the latter's fortunes in the general elections this summer.

Vijay, born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, had launched a political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in February this year ahead of the elections but did not do much in this poll season.

According to local media reports, Vijay plans to walk throughout the southern Tamil Nadu state, similar to Rahul Gandhi's movement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vijays-11-year-old-fan-suffers-burns-during-fan-event-celebrating-actors-birthday-734334">Vijay's 11-year-old fan suffers burns during fan event celebrating actor's birthday</a>

Ahead of this, the party will hold its state meeting. There will be four zonal meetings too.

Vijay plans to reach 100 assembly constituencies of the state on foot along with his supporters. Similar to Rahul Gandhi's Yatra, he will directly interact with the people.

Vijay was shooting a movie abroad and was unwell during the polling date in Lok Sabha elections but still made it to vote, visibly sick. The film, GOAT, was being filmed in Russia at the time, and he flew back to India for voting. GOAT will release in September.

So far, Vijay had not called any meeting of TVK since announcing his political entry. It was expected that he will hold a major rally in Madurai on the occasion of his 50th birthday, which falls on 22 June. But he postponed birthday celebrations in the wake of a spurious liqour tragedy in Kallakurichi, that left people 61 dead.

Also watch |&nbsp;Merry Christmas review: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethipathi shine in this mystery thriller

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He had criticised the MK Stalin government for the&nbsp;tragedy. This was his first major intervention since entering politics.

Vijay had also organised an event with students of class 10 and 12. At that event, he went on a broadside against the drug mafia in the state. It was also noteworthy that he sat with students from the Dalit community, instead of taking the stage.&nbsp;

His latest intervention was about the recent killing of local leader of Bahujan Samaj Party, Armstrong. Vijay condemned the murder of Armstrong, who was hacked to death by assailants one of whom was later shot dead by police.&nbsp;

He called the incident shocking and painful, and offered condolences to Armstrong's family.

It is being seen by observers that Vijay is targeting the votes of Dalits and those from downtrodden communities, who he had championed in several of his massively successful films.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tamil actor-turned politician 'Thalapathy' Vijay is planning to organise a rally similar to Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra (Unite India rally) that had helped the latter's fortunes in the general elections this summer.

Tamil actor-turned politician 'Thalapathy' Vijay is planning to organise a rally similar to Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra (Unite India rally) that had helped the latter's fortunes in the general elections this summer. Vijay, born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, had launched a political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in February this year ahead of the elections but did not do much in this poll season. According to local media reports, Vijay plans to walk throughout the southern Tamil Nadu state, similar to Rahul Gandhi's movement. Also read | Vijay's 11-year-old fan suffers burns during fan event celebrating actor's birthday Ahead of this, the party will hold its state meeting. There will be four zonal meetings too. Vijay plans to reach 100 assembly constituencies of the state on foot along with his supporters. Similar to Rahul Gandhi's Yatra, he will directly interact with the people. Vijay was shooting a movie abroad and was unwell during the polling date in Lok Sabha elections but still made it to vote, visibly sick. The film, GOAT, was being filmed in Russia at the time, and he flew back to India for voting. GOAT will release in September. So far, Vijay had not called any meeting of TVK since announcing his political entry. It was expected that he will hold a major rally in Madurai on the occasion of his 50th birthday, which falls on 22 June. But he postponed birthday celebrations in the wake of a spurious liqour tragedy in Kallakurichi, that left people 61 dead. Also watch | Merry Christmas review: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethipathi shine in this mystery thriller × He had criticised the MK Stalin government for the tragedy. This was his first major intervention since entering politics. Vijay had also organised an event with students of class 10 and 12. At that event, he went on a broadside against the drug mafia in the state. It was also noteworthy that he sat with students from the Dalit community, instead of taking the stage. His latest intervention was about the recent killing of local leader of Bahujan Samaj Party, Armstrong. Vijay condemned the murder of Armstrong, who was hacked to death by assailants one of whom was later shot dead by police. He called the incident shocking and painful, and offered condolences to Armstrong's family. It is being seen by observers that Vijay is targeting the votes of Dalits and those from downtrodden communities, who he had championed in several of his massively successful films. (With inputs from agencies)

Tamil actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay to hold rallies similar to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra: Reports