Popular Tamil actor Vijay has made a bold move by stepping into the political arena of Tamil Nadu. He announced the launch of his party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), which aims to bring about a “fundamental political change” in the state. The actor, who enjoys a massive fan base, has clarified that his party will not participate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and will focus on preparing for the 2026 Assembly elections.
The registration process for the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam has begun. The party’s leadership, officials, and internal regulations were ratified at a gathering in Chennai on January 25.
Vijay’s statement highlighted the need for a fundamental political change in Tamil Nadu, in line with the Indian Constitution and the egalitarian principle of “pirapokkum ella uyirkum” (all are born equal). He criticized the current political culture for being tainted with corruption, administrative malpractices, and divisive tactics.
Vijay into Politics
Vijay, a celebrated Tamil actor, has recently made a significant move by announcing his political debut. His decision to form the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (VMI), a political party with 25 wings, including an IT wing and advocates wing, has been a strategic move to face the political challenges ahead. 
Vijay has made it clear that his focus will shift entirely to public service once he fulfills his existing commitment to a film. He expressed his intention to balance his film-related responsibilities with his party work, and then devote himself completely to politics as a service to the people. He views this transition as a way to express his deep gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Vijay’s bold step into politics is a significant one, especially in a state like Tamil Nadu, where the political landscape has been dominated by the Dravidian majors, DMK and AIADMK. His entry into politics is seen as a brave move, considering the challenges he will face against seasoned politicians like M K Stalin and Edappadi K Palaniswami, as well as emerging leaders like Udhayanidhi Stalin and BJP state chief K Annamalai.
Ideologies and Aspirations
Vijay has expressed his concern about the current political culture, which he perceives as tainted with corruption and divisive tactics. He emphasized the need for a political change that aligns with the Indian Constitution and the principle of equality. His commitment to bringing about a fundamental political change in Tamil Nadu has been appreciated by many.
Vijay, on Friday, addressed the current political scenario saying, “We all are cognizant of the challenges that hinder our unity and progress. On one side, we have administrative malpractices and corruption in politics, and on the other, a divisive political culture that seeks to segregate people based on caste and religion.” He further added, “There is a strong desire among the people of Tamil Nadu for a political transformation that can usher in an administration that is selfless, transparent, devoid of caste bias, visionary, and free from corruption.”
Anticipations and Challenges
Vijay’s decision to enter politics has stirred up a lot of interest and anticipation among his fans and the public. As Prof Ramu Manivannan pointed out, Vijay’s timing is significant, and he is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming elections. His fans, who have been allowed to contest civic polls as independent candidates, continue to support him in this new endeavor.
In response to Vijay’s political plunge, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the state’s sports minister, and K Annamalai, the BJP state president, have expressed their welcome. On the other hand, D Jayakumar, the organising secretary of AIADMK, offered a more cautious perspective, stating, “Politics is like swimming; some manage to stay afloat while others sink. It remains to be seen how Vijay will fare in this new endeavor.”
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