Actor-turned-politician Vijay has officially entered the electoral fray for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, announcing that he will contest from two constituencies: Perambur and Trichy East. Representing his party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay will go head-to-head against sitting DMK MLAs RD Shekar and Inigo Irudayaraj. During a massive rally in Chennai, he emphasized his commitment to the people, formally declaring his candidacy under his full name, C. Joseph Vijay.
The party leader also unveiled the TVK candidate list, ensuring that his core inner circle—including N. Anand, Adhav Arjuna, and KA Sengkottaiyan—will contest from key seats such as T. Nagar and Gobichettipalayam. Vijay framed the upcoming election as a direct battle between his “people’s alliance” and the “patch-up” alliance led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. He took several veiled swipes at the ruling DMK, suggesting their coalition is fragile and lacks a natural bond.
As part of his “youth guarantee” agenda, Vijay laid out several high-stakes campaign promises aimed at the state’s younger demographic:
- Economic Support: Monthly assistance of ₹4,000 for graduates and ₹2,000 for diploma holders.
- Governance Reform: A strict commitment to conducting all government examinations on time.
- Social Safety: Immediate and decisive steps toward creating a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
Vijay characterized his candidates as individuals from ordinary backgrounds who prioritize integrity over wealth or political experience. With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23 and counting set for May 4, the entry of TVK marks a significant shift in the state’s traditional political landscape.