Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is leading in 104 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, according to early trends at 11.13 am on Monday.
In its very first electoral test since its launch in February 2024, the party, which is contesting solo on all 234 seats, has made its presence felt, particularly in urban pockets and among younger voters.
Vijay positioned himself in the Tamil Nadu political scenario as a disruptive new force who has promised change amidst the Dravidian duopoly. The TVK attempted to cut through the traditional vote banks with roadshows, massive youth mobilisation, and direct appeal to families, including urging children to persuade parents to vote for the TVK.
TVK’s campaign focused on anti-corruption, quality education, youth employment, women’s empowerment, and an AI and future-ready Tamil Nadu, while criticising both the DMK and the AIADMK for “dynastic politics and unfulfilled promises”.
If the trends hold, the respectable debut legitimises Vijay’s decision to retire from films and pursue full-time politics. But a respectable showing, even if short of forming the government or emerging as the single largest party, would still make the TVK a credible third force in Tamil Nadu politics.
It would establish Vijay as a long-term player capable of reshaping the state’s political narrative, especially among the urban youths and aspirational middle class tired of conventional Dravidian politics.
Political analysts say that the party needs to build a solid foundation of organisational depth.
“Whether the TVK gets a considerable vote share or not, the party’s chances of survival are very unlikely in the coming years unless it engages in proper organisational politics. Vijay’s popularity might be a big factor in these elections, but it also seems to be the only factor being considered. But, a political party needs more than that to sustain,” said political analyst Arun Kumar.
He said that even other parties that emerged as a third or an alternative factor could not retain their presence because of the lack of groundwork.
“When the senior leaders of TVK realise that there is a low possibility of growth, they would go ahead and join other parties, as in the case of Makkal Needhi Maiyam. At the same time, both the DMK and the AIADMK will try to minimise the TVK’s presence in the state. The TVK needs to form a solid structure within the party, strengthen their ideologies, and work on their political inclination; otherwise, the future seems weak,” added Arun.
The muted performance would force the TVK to rethink its strategy to go solo. Vijay may have to consider future alliances while working harder on organisation-building up to the booth level.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)