TN CM Vijay speaks in state assembly NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay on Tuesday pushed back against critics who had dismissed the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as merely an “actor’s party”, arguing that its rise to power was built on years of activism and public engagement. In a wide-ranging assembly speech, Vijay brushed aside claims that he had moved straight from film sets to politics as a “reel” narrative, recalled the party’s opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and referred to the Karur stampede controversy as he reflected on the challenges faced during TVK’s political journey. “Some people say that I came directly from a film shooting set to become Chief Minister. In their own language, I would say that is just a ‘reel’,” ANI quoted him saying.”Most people start a political party first and then go to the people. We went to the people first and only then started our party. Those who fail to understand this are the ones who dismiss us as merely an actor’s party. In the 2026 election, we contested alone without any alliance,” he added.Defending his party on allegations regarding Karur stampede, he said, “In Karur, 41 people lost their lives, and the blame was placed on us. Is this how politics should be conducted? “Vijay then listed a series of social and political causes that he said he and his supporters had championed long before launching TVK.”In 2011, we organised a public meeting in support of fishermen and voiced our concerns on their behalf. We extended our support to the Jallikattu protest. We personally visited and supported the Sterlite protest. We provided scholarships and incentives to meritorious students in education. After all this, we launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). We also issued statements opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),” he said.While saying TVK did not subscribe to Periyar’s rejection of religion, Vijay said the party had embraced the broader principles associated with the Dravidian icon.”Periyar’s rejection of religious belief is not something we accepted, but we fully embraced his broader principles. We have always made it clear that we are not opposed to anyone’s ideology. We accepted Dr Ambedkar’s ideals of equal opportunity and social justice. We adopted Kamarajar’s model of honest administration as our guiding principle. We clearly identified who our political opponents were and who our ideological opponents were,” he said.Positioning his administration as one that represents ordinary citizens, Vijay invoked former chief ministers C N Annadurai and M G Ramachandran. “Just as there was a government of ordinary people under Anna and a government of very ordinary people under MGR, this government under Vijay is a government of the most ordinary people,” he said.Responding to the governor’s speech, Vijay thanked the people of Tamil Nadu and said serving them remained his government’s foremost responsibility.In 2024, Vijay formally entered electoral politics with the launch of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and began winding down his film career to devote himself to public service. In 2026, his party won the Tamil Nadu assembly elections and formed government in alliance with Congress, Left and other regional parties.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEU Unveils Ambassadors Network In India, Seeks Stronger People-To-People LinksLucknow Fire Kills 15; SIT Formed To Probe Safety Violations, Four Accused ArrestedTMC Rift Out In Open As Rebel Camp Forms 30-Member National PanelIndians Among 13 Killed In Explosion At Ras Laffan LNG Complex In QatarStudents Jump, Rescuers Breach Walls: Inside The Lucknow Fire Tragedy That Claimed 15 LivesTMC Civil War Escalates As Rebels Claim Control Of Party, Removes ‘Supremo’ Mamata BanerjeeNEET Re-Test Heartbreak: Students Cry Outside Centres After Missing Entry DeadlineWest Bengal’s First BJP Budget: 1 Lakh Jobs, DA Hike, New Airport, Cut In Minority Affairs FundsUP CM Yogi Vows Action, Dy CM Breaks Down After 15 Students Killed In Lucknow Fire TragedySix Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Join Shinde Camp, Uddhav Suffers Fresh Political Blow123PhotostoriesSouth Indian dishes APJ Abdul Kalam lovedTeacher reveals 6 habits shared by top-performing students7 high-protein chickpea dishes for a healthy summer breakfast60-second money lesson: The money leak hiding in your food delivery appHeart disease in women: Most know it’s the #1 killer, yet miss THIS early warning sign“It was pressure, not pain”: The heart attack sign cardiologists never ignoreMeet Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Amit Bhatt aka Champak Chacha’s real-life family; Here are lesser known facts about his wife Kruti Bhatt, kids and moreThis 18th-century fort overlooking Jaipur has legends, palaces and unmatched sunset views; no it’s not AmerRashmika Mandanna to Ananya Panday: 5 major fashion moments of the week that had everyone talkingAlways tired, forgetful or feeling pins and needles? Doctor says these silent symptoms could point to vitamin B12 deficiency123Hot PicksCGBSE NMMSE result 2026Gold rate todayIndia-US trade dealGorakhpur rapeAfrican proverb of the dayBest proverbWeather forecast tomorrowPortuguese proverb of the daySpanish proverb of the dayTop TrendingDelhi MurderUS-Iran WarBadlapur AccidentFIFA World Cup 2026Shiv Sena UBTTamil Nadu Ammonia Gas LeakNEET UG ExamGold rate todayDelhi weatherMumbai rain
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay on Tuesday pushed back against critics who had dismissed the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as merely an “actor’s party”, arguing that its rise to power was built on years of activism and public engagement. In a wide-ranging assembly speech, Vijay brushed aside claims that he had moved straight from film sets to politics as a “reel” narrative, recalled the party’s opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and referred to the Karur stampede controversy as he reflected on the challenges faced during TVK’s political journey. “Some people say that I came directly from a film shooting set to become Chief Minister. In their own language, I would say that is just a ‘reel’,” ANI quoted him saying.“Most people start a political party first and then go to the people. We went to the people first and only then started our party. Those who fail to understand this are the ones who dismiss us as merely an actor’s party. In the 2026 election, we contested alone without any alliance,” he added.Defending his party on allegations regarding Karur stampede, he said, “In Karur, 41 people lost their lives, and the blame was placed on us. Is this how politics should be conducted? “Vijay then listed a series of social and political causes that he said he and his supporters had championed long before launching TVK.“In 2011, we organised a public meeting in support of fishermen and voiced our concerns on their behalf. We extended our support to the Jallikattu protest. We personally visited and supported the Sterlite protest. We provided scholarships and incentives to meritorious students in education. After all this, we launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). We also issued statements opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),” he said.While saying TVK did not subscribe to Periyar’s rejection of religion, Vijay said the party had embraced the broader principles associated with the Dravidian icon.“Periyar’s rejection of religious belief is not something we accepted, but we fully embraced his broader principles. We have always made it clear that we are not opposed to anyone’s ideology. We accepted Dr Ambedkar’s ideals of equal opportunity and social justice. We adopted Kamarajar’s model of honest administration as our guiding principle. We clearly identified who our political opponents were and who our ideological opponents were,” he said.Positioning his administration as one that represents ordinary citizens, Vijay invoked former chief ministers C N Annadurai and M G Ramachandran. “Just as there was a government of ordinary people under Anna and a government of very ordinary people under MGR, this government under Vijay is a government of the most ordinary people,” he said.Responding to the governor’s speech, Vijay thanked the people of Tamil Nadu and said serving them remained his government’s foremost responsibility.In 2024, Vijay formally entered electoral politics with the launch of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and began winding down his film career to devote himself to public service. In 2026, his party won the Tamil Nadu assembly elections and formed government in alliance with Congress, Left and other regional parties.
