Madurai, Aug 22: Launching a blistering attack on the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and the “fascist” BJP at the Centre, actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay today reiterated that both parties were his party’s political and ideological enemies.Address to cadres as “lion cubs”
Beginning his nearly 40-minute address at the party’s second State Conference at Parapathi in Madurai district on the Madurai–Thoothukudi National Highway, Vijay compared his cadres to lion cubs.
“A lion knows how to stand alone and how to lead a pride. There are many jackals and other animals in the forest, but there is only one lion. Even if it is hungry, it will not eat… If such a lion touches anything, it will not leave. Lion is always a lion; it will not lose its identity. It can stay alone and also in groups,” he said.
“DMK political enemy, BJP ideological enemy”
Reiterating the stand he first announced at TVK’s Villupuram conference in October last year, Vijay declared: “Our only political enemy is always the DMK. Our ideological enemy is always the BJP, which I term fascist.”
He categorically announced that TVK will never ally with the BJP backed by the RSS by “surrendering its self-respect.”
Surprise announcement on candidature
In a dramatic moment, Vijay declared that he himself would contest the 2026 Assembly elections from Madurai East constituency. Symbolically, he also named himself as the candidate for all constituencies in and around Madurai—Madurai South, North, Central, West, Tiruparankundram, Sholavandan, Melur, and others.
“This is symbolic,” he said, stressing that wherever TVK candidates contest, it should be as if he himself was contesting. “Every vote cast for TVK is a vote for me. In each constituency, your own people from your homes will be the candidates. I am the symbol of the party.”
He announced that TVK would contest all 234 Assembly seats in 2026.
Priorities and promises
Outlining his party’s priorities, Vijay said the safety of women, girls, children, and the elderly would be TVK’s foremost concern. “This crowd is not just for votes. It will turn into a hunt for power and send the hunters packing in 2026,” he declared.
Attacks on BJP and Centre
Taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijay raised the plight of Tamil Nadu fishermen and the frequent arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy. He urged the Centre to retrieve Katchatheevu islet ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974.
He also demanded exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET and accused the Modi government of conspiring against minorities.
Vijay charged the Centre with suppressing the findings of the Keezhadi archaeological excavations to undermine Tamil pride. “Whatever you do, BJP will not win in Tamil Nadu. Water will not stick on lotus leaves,” he quipped, dismissing the saffron party’s electoral prospects.
Attack on AIADMK and DMK
Slamming the AIADMK for reviving ties with the BJP, he accused the party of betraying the ideals of its founder M.G. Ramachandran.
Turning his guns on Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin, Vijay alleged that the DMK government had misled women, government employees, and several sections of society with unfulfilled poll promises.
“Stalin uncle, what uncle, it’s very wrong uncle… answer us, Stalin uncle,” he said in a direct attack.
Emotional recall of MGR and Vijayakanth
Recalling his emotional bond with leaders like MGR and Vijayakanth, Vijay said, “In both cinema and politics, our favourite leader has been MGR. I never had the opportunity to spend time with him, but I had plenty of opportunities to be with my brother Vijayakanth, who shared the same qualities. He too belonged to this very soil of Madurai.”