Actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Thursday filed his nomination for the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu elections.
Vijay submitted his papers at the Ariyamangalam Zonal Office in the Palakkarai area around 12:30 pm before the Assistant Returning Officer. He has already filed his nomination from Perambur in Chennai, indicating a dual-constituency contest.
Prior to filing his nomination, Vijay led a massive roadshow from the city airport, drawing thousands of supporters and bringing several parts of Tiruchi to a standstill. During the procession near Melapudur, he briefly halted his convoy to assist a two-wheeler rider involved in a minor accident, an act that drew attention from onlookers.
The TVK chief is set to face a tough electoral battle in Tiruchirappalli East against incumbent DMK MLA Inigo Irudayaraj and AIADMK candidate K Rajasekaran.
In a notable gesture, party organisers instructed cadres to avoid blowing whistles—the party’s election symbol—near a school where Class 10 board examinations were underway during a campaign event at Marakkadai.
Addressing a public meeting, Vijay launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK, accusing it of failing to deliver on its 2021 poll promises. He also targeted Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, alleging that several key assurances—including subsidies and the scrapping of NEET—remained unfulfilled.
“Unlike others, I will not make false promises. We will understand the needs of the people and act accordingly,” Vijay said.
He further criticised both the Centre and the state government over a reported shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, linking it to disruptions faced by small businesses such as tea stalls and hotels.
After filing his nomination, Vijay garlanded a statue of former Chief Minister and AIADMK founder M. G. Ramachandran, underscoring his outreach to a broader voter base.
TVK’s manifesto includes proposals such as “anti-drug protection zones” and monthly financial assistance for students—Rs 4,000 for graduates and Rs 2,000 for diploma holders.
Vijay is contesting from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, where he will face DMK candidates R.D. Sekar and Inigo Irudayaraj, respectively.
Following the nomination, Vijay is set to intensify his campaign across central Tamil Nadu, with heavy police deployment in place to manage large crowds.
Polling for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu will be held in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.
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