annamalai-prepares-for-ideological-clash-with-vijay-in-2026

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party state president K Annamalai has said that his party will engage in an ideological battle with actor-politician Vijay in the 2026 state assembly elections.

 

Annamalai acknowledged that Vijay is a popular actor and would bring a set of ideals to the political arena.

 

He said, “For Vijay and other parties, it will be an ideological fight. Vijay will present a certain ideology. We will bring ours. They may have firepower, but we also have ours.” This statement signals that the BJP is prepared for a tough contest, with both sides promoting distinct political ideologies.

 

Vijay, during his first party conference in October 2024, declared that the BJP would be his party’s ideological enemy. He also labelled the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam as his political rival.

 

Also read: Annamalai slams Stalin over three-languages in education policy

 

Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, is likely to target the BJP’s policies and beliefs, setting the stage for a fierce political face-off in the upcoming elections.

 

Annamalai pointed out that every election is different. He noted that the political landscape is changing rapidly due to social media, youth voters, aspirational politics, and the influence of freebies.

 

Despite these shifting factors, Annamalai expressed confidence in BJP’s success. He stated that the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections will see a multi-party contest. He also emphasised that the BJP would not oppose any party for the sake of opposition. Instead, the party would focus on promoting its own ideology.

 

He acknowledged the challenges ahead, mentioning that the ruling DMK and regional parties have a strong base in Tamil Nadu.

 

He said, “Vijay already has a far reach. The DMK is a formidable party. It has been around since 1949. The AIADMK is also powerful, having been in power several times.” Despite these strong competitors, Annamalai believes the BJP has built itself up over the years.

 

The BJP leader reflected on the 2021 elections, when his party contested independently for the first time. He believes the party has learned how to improve its campaign and develop its narrative. “Our election machinery is being revamped,” he said. Annamalai also stressed the importance of holding the DMK accountable for its mistakes, as it is the current ruling party.