Amidst growing anticipation and speculation surrounding his entry into politics, Tamil cinema's popular actor Vijay has officially launched a new political party in Tamil Nadu. Named "Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam," the party aims to contest in the upcoming 2026 assembly elections.
As reactions, both of praise and criticism, continue to pour in, we caught up with Veera Vigneswaran, the spokesperson for Vijay's TVK party, for an exclusive conversation shedding light on the party's ideology and vision.
For the past few years, there has been talk of Vijay entering politics. What is the background behind the formation of the party before the Lok Sabha elections?
The leadership felt that this would be the right time because our target is not the upcoming parliamentary elections. The context of that election was different, and the work to be done is different. Our target is the 2026 assembly elections. It will take at least two years to build the party organizationally strong. That is why the announcement of the party has been made now. None of the present leaders have the power and attraction that Vijay has. Vijay will do good politics against corruption and communalism by holding fast to the ideals of Ambedkar, Periyar, and Kamaraj with great people's power. The 2026 election is going to be Vijay-centric.
Vijay followed the style of MGR and Rajini on screen. When it came to politics, MGR had big success in it. But Rajini is not like that. What is Vijay going to become?
There is no comparison between Rajini and Vijay. Vijay has started working hard to start a party for the people. Vijay is what MGR was in the 70s. Rajini was like that in the 90s. He missed that opportunity. Like MGR won a landslide victory in 1977, Vijay will win the coming elections with great people's power.
Kamal Haasan is the latest example of actors entering politics. The person who said he would come alone and give change is now in coalition talks. Did you notice this?
There are a lot of actors in India. Not all of them are very popular. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, MGR, Rajini, and now Vijay. They are the ones who have absolute popularity. It's people like these who can have big consequences. MGR's face had great value. But he didn't win with it alone. He had been in the party for a long time. He had his own principles. That's why he won. Vijay too will follow the ideals of Ambedkar, Periyar, and Kamaraj. Like MGR's campaign of 'Evil force DMK,' Vijay will campaign against corruption and communalism and come to power.
Those who say they are bringing about change are not as principled as they were at the beginning. Will Vijay remain undiluted?
Don't compare Vijay with those who came and went before. Vijay comes with radical policies. Vijay is the heir of Periyar, Ambedkar, and Kamaraj. Vijay will never deviate from their principles.
Is it customary to criticize new entrants as 'B' team?
Whoever criticizes the 'B' team will be the main team. We have announced the name of the party. We will soon announce our policies, programs, and activities. Hang on.
Vikatan.com and theimperfectshow.com are conducting a survey on Vijay's political entry. Please click here to participate. The survey questionnaire is in Tamil.
This Article was originally written by journalist U Sri and appeared in Vikatan.com. Here is the revised english version.