Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and actor Vijay on Friday (February 13, 2026) yet again sought to position the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu as a fight between the ruling DMK and his party, contending there was no need to attack those “deleted” (rejected) by the people.
Addressing a meeting of TVK functionaries in Salem, Mr. Vijay, without naming the AIADMK-BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), chose to respond with a poser to the criticism that he was silent on other players while attacking only the DMK. “Who is ruling the State now? Who gave fake promises and came to power? For removing the DMK from power, we should target them. Why should we target those ‘deleted’ by people many times? Why should we throw stones into the darkness,” he asked.
“This election is about whether the people need Vijay, who loves them, or [Chief Minister] Mr. Stalin, who is running an anti-people government. There are no others in this contest,” he postured.
Replying to charges that the TVK does not have experience, Mr. Vijay retorted that the party does not have experience in being corrupt like “them”. Claiming that some players came into politics through parties started by “others”, he asked: “Does anyone have the guts to start a political party like us and get at least 1% of the votes by themselves?”
The TVK, he said, would give “super governance” with the support of the people’s power and officials who care for the people, like MGR and Kamaraj (former Chief Ministers).
According to him, arithmetic calculations will not work in the 2026 elections and buying votes from people using money will also not be possible, with the TVK’s entry into politics. He urged the people to take money, which he said belongs to them, and then vote for the whistle (TVK symbol).
Referring to the Chief Minister’s remarks that “Tamil Nadu is out of Delhi’s control”, he quipped: “But Mr. Stalin is out of control in law and order, women’s protection, and employment for the youth. Totally, his government is out of control.”
Mr. Vijay said Mr. Stalin had in the Assembly claimed that people of the State are happy. “If that’s true, why are farmers, fishermen, labourers, conservancy workers, Anganwadi workers, doctors, persons with disabilities, and teachers protesting,” he asked.
Power sharing issue
“Earlier, at the Vikravandi meeting, I threw a bomb on ‘power sharing’ and now, that bomb is exploding in every alliance. Mr. Stalin is afraid, saying a coalition government will not work. Their [the DMK’s] policy of alliance is only for winning elections. For the remaining [power and wealth], the DMK is a separate team. The secret of the DMK’s slogan, “Velvom Ondrga,” (we will win unitedly) is this, and the people who should understand this will understand,” Mr. Vijay added.
Criticising the Tamil Nadu government’s standard operating procedure for giving permission to political party meetings, Mr. Vijay said, “I did not come to Salem for votes but I came for asking justice. I came into politics for the Tamil Nadu people who love me. For other political parties, permission is given for conducting meetings or conferences. But for the TVK, they do not give permission. The word ‘SoP‘ applies only to other political parties; for me it is, ‘Stalin operating procedure’,” Mr. Vijay added.
‘No personal hatred’
Contending he had not come into politics to destroy any party, Mr. Vijay said he had no personal hatred toward anyone. “We declared our enemy in politics and to win the elections, we came into politics. The TVK, within two years, became the principal political party with more than 30% of the vote share,” he claimed.
After four-and-a-half years of rule, the DMK is knocking on the doors of every household and getting the details of “people’s dreams (desires)”. People voted for the DMK in 2019, 2021, and 2024, believing it will do good. But the DMK has given them “anti-people” governance. “So now, the people want to remove this DMK government and bring the TVK. The TVK will provide 100% pure governance and fulfil their dreams,” he said.
Demanding that the State government appoint a regular Director General of Police (Head of Police Force), Mr. Vijay said there is no protection for women and law and order is at its worst. More POCSO Act cases are being reported. “Even they [the DMK] could not appoint a regular DGP. First, the government should appoint a regular DGP,” he said.
Published – February 13, 2026 03:59 pm IST
