Chennai, Nov 5 (NationPress) Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay declared on Wednesday that the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections would feature a “direct contest” between his party and the governing DMK. He proclaimed himself the party's Chief Ministerial candidate, asserting that the TVK possesses a “full certainty of victory”.

During a passionate address at the party's special general council meeting, held at a private venue in Mamallapuram, Vijay delivered his first significant speech since the tragic stampede in Karur on September 27 that resulted in 41 fatalities during a TVK rally.

The meeting commenced with a solemn moment of silence to honor the victims. Vijay labeled the Karur incident as a “temporary obstacle” allegedly orchestrated by the DMK regime.

In a pointed critique of the administration, he raised questions regarding the government's management of the tragedy and accused the ruling party of trying to exploit it for political gain.

He claimed that the DMK and its leader, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, had utilized the incident to tarnish the TVK's reputation by establishing a one-member inquiry commission and assigning senior IAS and police officials to undermine the party's image.

During his speech, Vijay emphatically recited excerpts from the Supreme Court's remarks regarding the Karur incident, reaffirming that the truth would ultimately “validate TVK and unveil the government's deceit”.

This high-profile general council meeting, chaired by Vijay, witnessed the presence of over 2,000 members, including district secretaries and office-bearers from across the state.

Party officials characterized the assembly as a pivotal moment in TVK’s political evolution, marking its transformation from a movement to a robust electoral entity.

The council passed 12 significant resolutions, establishing the political and ideological framework for the upcoming elections. Among these was a demand to the Election Commission of India for the immediate suspension of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, contending that this process could disenfranchise rightful voters.

In concluding his speech, Vijay stated that the Karur tragedy had fortified the party's determination. “We have absorbed painful lessons, but we shall advance with greater resolve, discipline, and commitment to serve the populace,” he declared, prompting loud applause from the attendees.

With the announcements made on Wednesday, the TVK has officially entered the 2026 electoral arena as a distinct force, creating a backdrop for a direct and high-stakes political showdown with the DMK.