Veteran Tamil actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive member Sarathkumar has announced that he will not personally contest the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, even if offered an opportunity by his party or allies.Speaking to reporters in Nellai during a public event, Sarathkumar made it clear that his role in the electoral battle will be supportive rather than directly contesting. He said that while he fully intends to campaign vigorously for his party and help bring about a change in government, he would cede his electoral opportunity to others and focus on campaigning across the state.
Sarathkumar also took the occasion to comment on wider political issues. He discussed central government welfare schemes, such as the extension of the 100-day employment programme to 125 days, and argued that opposition criticisms lacked substantive reasons. He reiterated that many benefits of central schemes were implemented in Tamil Nadu, and addressed what he saw as misleading opposition narratives.
On the subject of fellow actor-turned-politician Vijay, Sarathkumar expressed scepticism about Vijay’s current political positioning, saying he has not fully accepted him as a politician due to lack of clear policy positions.
While Sarathkumar will stay out of the electoral fray as a candidate, he confirmed his readiness to play an active role in BJP’s campaign strategies once alliances are finalised early next year.