Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Wednesday declared him as its chief ministerial candidate for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, passing a resolution that any alliance for the polls would be formed only under the party’s leadership.
The announcement came at the TVK’s first General Council meeting since the 27 September stampede at Vijay’s rally at Karur which claimed 41 lives. The meeting at a private hall in Mamallapuram began with a tribute to the victims of the stampede.
Speaking at the meeting, his first public address since the incident, Vijay launched a sharp attack on the DMK government, accusing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of peddling lies in the assembly and from public forums.
He said while his party remained silent on the stampede out of respect for the victims, the ruling party used that period to “spread lies and twist facts for political mileage”.
“Those who are in power should show responsibility, not arrogance. The people of the state are watching everything and the truth will come out,” Vijay said, accusing the government of trying to weaken the TVK through smear campaigns and bureaucratic muzzling.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s observations in connection with the Karur stampede case, Vijay said the process of investigation itself had been politicised. He also said the SC questioned the handling of the inquiry into the stampede, and asked why the Madras High Court had appointed a Special Investigation Team when the original petitioner had merely sought guidelines for crowd safety.
Attacking the chief minister, he said, his officials and partymen had to speak on the stampede one after the other and tried to explain to people which showed “people have lost faith in you”.
He also accused the state administration of restricting TVK’s political activities by denying large venues for events and by imposing unwarranted conditions on public meetings.
“The restrictions issued to me were unprecedented and no political leaders were issued such restrictions. When people line up to see me, they are threatened. Is this democracy or dictatorship?” he asked.
Vijay further criticised the government that it had “fallen asleep” while the people of the state suffered.
“This government may have power, but it has lost credibility. In 2026, the real fight will be between the TVK and the DMK. The fight is going to be intense henceforth. People are going to teach you a lesson in 2026. But, even if you were taught a lesson, you would have a ready-made statement saying ‘we accept the people’s judgement’. Be ready with that statement,” Vijay said.
General council’s 12 resolutions
The party’s general council passed a total of 12 resolutions, criticising the DMK government in the state and the BJP government at the Centre. It declared Vijay as the party’s chief ministerial candidate and empowered him to take a final call on the alliance for the 2026 assembly elections. The party asserted any alliance would be formed only under the leadership of the TVK.
Referring to Coimbatore college student’s sexual assault case, the TVK’s resolution accused the DMK government of failing to ensure women’s safety. It also passed a resolution condemning the state government, and demanding exemplary punishment for those guilty.
It also passed a resolution criticising the Central government for “its inaction over the repeated arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy”. Another resolution opposed the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of voter lists in some states.
It also accused the DMK government of mishandling paddy procurement, and claimed that about 20 lakh tonnes of paddy produce were damaged during monsoon rains in the delta region as they were not procured on time.
Another resolution demanded security for people meeting Vijay, while a whitepaper on investments under the DMK was also sought.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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