Tamil Nadu Elections: The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu is heating up considerably ahead of the 2026 assembly elections (expected in April-May), primarily due to the emergence of actor Thalapathy Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) as a significant third force.
On February 2, 2026 – the third anniversary of TVK – Vijay, addressing party workers, claimed that his party’s entry had “changed” the electoral landscape, creating a “new situation unlike before.”
He urged unity and strategy, declaring the 2026 elections a “democratic battle” to “take over the reins of governance” and predicted a TVK victory.
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thehindu.com: Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party declares fight against Dravidian parties.
Why is the political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu heating up?
TVK’s Growing Momentum
Vijay’s massive rallies attract millions of supporters, leveraging his huge fan base (especially young and urban voters). Internal surveys suggest a potential 20-30% vote share; analysts estimate 15-23%. This could split the votes of both the DMK and AIADMK.
Alliance Speculation
Seat-sharing tensions within the DMK-led alliance (with Congress demanding more seats) have fueled rumors of Congress aligning with TVK. Vijay’s father hinted at supporting Congress, while TVK is open to alliances but denies ties with the BJP. Vijay has stated he will contest alone if necessary.
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Multi-cornered Contest
The traditional bipolar contest (DMK vs. AIADMK) now risks becoming a triangular or even four-way contest (with Seeman’s NTK). TVK presents itself as an anti-corruption alternative, calling the DMK “evil” and the AIADMK “corrupt” forces.
Key Developments
TVK has received the ‘whistle’ as its election symbol; Vijay is likely to contest from Velachery (Chennai). The party’s general secretary has predicted a TVK government with Vijay as Chief Minister.
The Big Question
Will Vijay be able to convert his fan following into votes and seats, or will he play the role of a spoiler/kingmaker?