TVK chief and actor-turned-politician Vijay entered the electoral fray from Perambur constituency in Chennai, filing his nomination. He urged voters to give his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) a chance and vote for the party’s ‘whistle’ symbol on April 23.
After filing his nomination papers, Vijay addressed supporters from an open-top campaign vehicle. He repeated his allegation that the ruling DMK was an “evil force” and criticised the state government. He accused the DMK regime of failing to ensure women’s safety. He also targeted the government over the law and order situation and alleged widespread drug abuse in the state.
“We have to save Tamil Nadu. Who is responsible for this situation? The evil force DMK is responsible. Stalin sir is the reason,” Vijay alleged while addressing the gathering.
The 2026 Assembly election marks Vijay’s electoral debut. He has chosen Perambur in north Chennai, known for its large working-class population. He is also contesting from Tiruchirappalli-East in central Tamil Nadu, an important region in the Cauvery delta belt.
Vijay said he left his comfortable life to enter politics for the people and to repay their love and support. “I have endured all the pain and came (joined politics) only for you. I will never lie, never deceive you,” he said. He claimed the main contest was between the ruling DMK and the new challenger TVK, dismissing the idea of a four-cornered fight.
He urged voters to choose between the DMK government and his party. “Do you want Stalin sir’s anti-people government or Vijay who stands with people? Please vote for the whistle symbol. This election should become a whistle revolution,” he said.
The actor-politician questioned the lack of basic amenities and alleged that even elderly women were not safe. He claimed people were living without security and peace.
Alleging rising violence due to drug consumption, Vijay asked “Is this a country or a jungle. Does a government exist? Does it function?” Furthermore, he asked, "Is there safety in the regime of this evil force DMK? Did children have safety? Did you live peacefully? Stalin is not concerned about the people and for him and his government, what mattered and important was "loot" alongwith the family during the past 5 years.”
He also alleged corruption worth Rs 1,000 crore in the state-run liquor corporation TASMAC. He further claimed irregularities of similar scale in municipal administration and alleged a cash-for-jobs scam.
Appealing particularly to young voters, Vijay asked Gen Z voters to press the whistle symbol on voting day and support TVK. He urged people to defeat the ruling party through their vote.
He asked: "What can be done with this evil force, the DMK government, which offers no security and no employment? Shall we throw it away? Next, they will have piles of money and won't know what to do with it, so they'll give it to all of you, dreaming of winning somehow. As I said before, take everything. Take it and blow the whistle in their ears and send them away."
During the event, party workers presented Vijay with a ‘Vel’, the spear associated with Lord Muruga, as a mark of support.
Meanwhile, senior TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna filed his nomination from the Villivakkam Assembly constituency in north Chennai. Considered the party’s number two leader, Arjuna is the son-in-law of businessman Santiago Martin. Like Vijay, this will also be his first Assembly election.
Also read: Stalin files nomination from Kolathur
Follow us
