Will the 2026 TN elections be a direct fight between TVK and DMK?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vijay announces a direct political contest between TVK and DMK for the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections.
- Criticism of DMK's unfulfilled promises resonates among voters.
- TVK emphasizes practical solutions over empty rhetoric.
- Vijay vows to maintain political independence and not ally with BJP.
- Focus on basic infrastructure needs highlighted in his campaign.
Chennai, Sep 27 (NationPress) Actor-turned-politician Vijay made a bold statement on Saturday, asserting that the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu will be a direct contest between his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and the governing Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
During his campaign in Namakkal as part of a district-wide tour over the weekend, the TVK leader accused the DMK of deceiving voters by failing to fulfill their promises. He emphasized that his movement provides a "people-first alternative" that prioritizes practical solutions over superficial commitments.
Numerous TVK supporters flooded the streets to welcome Vijay, causing a nearly six-hour delay in his arrival at the campaign venue.
Once he took the stage, Vijay addressed the audience for approximately 15 minutes, combining sharp critiques of the DMK government with heartfelt appeals centered on Tamil identity and regional pride.
Referring to Namakkal as "not just a land of eggs and poultry but of Tamil spirit", he invoked the famous words of poet V. Ramalingam Pillai, urging Tamils to stand tall.
He also highlighted the contributions of P. Subbarayan, a social justice advocate from Namakkal, who played an instrumental role in securing reservation rights for backward and Scheduled Caste communities.
Vijay read out several promises made by the DMK in their manifesto — including the establishment of grain godowns in every union, government procurement of oil from copra, distribution of natural sweeteners in ration shops, and restoration of the old pension scheme for all state employees — and challenged the audience: "They (DMK) said it. Did they do it?"
He criticized previous state administrations for neglecting Namakkal's longstanding demands, such as cold storage and research facilities for egg preservation and disease testing, claiming that the DMK's neglect had left impoverished powerloom workers vulnerable to kidney trafficking.
Vijay reiterated TVK's commitment to political independence.
"We will never ally with the BJP, directly or indirectly. We will not betray Tamil Nadu with opportunistic deals," he stated, warning voters that "a vote for DMK today is indirectly a vote for BJP", accusing the ruling party of having a clandestine relationship with the Centre.
He pledged that a future TVK administration would focus on essential services — including good roads, clean drinking water, reliable healthcare, and women's safety — and would only propose feasible and practical plans.
"We will not construct castles in the sky or make promises of roads like those in America," he added, prompting laughter and applause from the crowd.
In closing, Vijay urged the voters of Namakkal to place their trust in him to build a people-centric government that prioritizes worker protection and delivers vital infrastructure without grandiose promises.