Mon Feb 23 11:31:40 UTC 2026: ### Vijay’s TVK Challenges DMK’s Dominance in Tamil Nadu Ahead of 2026 Elections
The Story:
Actor Vijay, founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), directly challenged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his DMK party on February 23, 2026, framing the upcoming Assembly elections as a battle between the TVK’s “pure force” and the DMK’s “evil force” of corruption. This counters Stalin’s narrative of the election being a fight between Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led central government. Vijay criticized Stalin’s governance, citing unfulfilled promises and accusing him of unfairly blaming the TVK for a stampede that resulted in 41 deaths in September 2025.
Key Points:
- Vijay rejects Stalin’s framing of the 2026 Assembly elections as a fight between Tamil Nadu and New Delhi.
- He positions the election as a direct contest between the TVK and the DMK, focusing on corruption.
- Vijay accuses Stalin of blaming him for the September 27, 2025 Karur stampede.
- He alleges the DMK government has failed to fulfil its 2021 election promises, including improved infrastructure and healthcare access in remote areas.
- Vijay emphasizes the importance of the upcoming election, particularly for young voters.
Key Takeaways:
- Vijay’s TVK is positioning itself as the primary opposition to the ruling DMK, shifting the political narrative away from national-level conflicts.
- The Karur stampede remains a point of contention between Vijay and Stalin, suggesting ongoing political tensions.
- The election will likely focus on local issues like corruption and unfulfilled promises.
- Vijay is trying to galvanize the youth vote by portraying the TVK as a force for change.
- The election is very important for the future of Tamil Nadu politics.
First Piper 