Vellore, February 23: Actor-turned-politician Vijay, the firebrand leader of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), has thrown down the gauntlet to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. In a charged address to party workers in Kollamangalam, Vellore district, Vijay proclaimed that the polls would boil down to a straight contest between him and Stalin.
‘This election is not just Vijay versus Stalin,’ he thundered. ‘It’s the people of Tamil Nadu against corruption, against bribery, against the DMK government.’ Vijay’s words electrified the crowd, positioning TVK as the crusader against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)’s alleged misgovernance.
Targeting Stalin directly, Vijay dismissed any national political narratives, insisting the battle was purely local. ‘Tamil Nadu’s fight is about corruption and poor administration right here, not Delhi’s games,’ he said, drawing cheers from supporters waving the party’s whistle symbol.
Vijay rallied his cadres by emphasizing voter power. ‘Our vote is our right—no one can buy it. It’s for the whistle symbol. We won’t retreat from our stance or fall for deceit again,’ he declared. He accused the DMK of betraying promises, particularly on electricity bills. ‘They pledged monthly billing, but we’re stuck with bi-monthly burdens. Is this modern-day corruption?’
The TVK chief highlighted glaring failures in law and order, women’s safety, inadequate bus services in hill villages, and dire shortages of medical facilities. ‘Women in remote areas are forced to consider home deliveries due to lack of care,’ he lamented, underscoring the human cost of neglect.
Outlining TVK’s vision, Vijay promised a government prioritizing safety for boys and girls, government schools matching private standards, clean toilets for girls, a drug-free Tamil Nadu, and a welfare board for unorganized workers. ‘You can’t win with looted money or shaky alliances. This is a whistle-stop election—stay confident, victory is certain,’ he motivated.
Challenging political leaders, Vijay demanded they disclose assets before and after entering politics. He envisioned the 2026 polls as historic, breaking five decades of patterns. ‘Everyone opposes me because I oppose corruption. But every polling booth must become a victory booth,’ he concluded, igniting hopes for a political upheaval.