Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is emerging as a significant new force in Tamil Nadu politics, with early counting trends indicating a strong debut performance in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Initial results showed TVK gaining an advantage in both Tiruchi (East) and Perambur constituencies, while pushing the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) into third position in several seats. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), however, continued to lead the overall race.
Contesting its first-ever Assembly election, TVK appears to be converting Vijay’s widespread popularity into measurable electoral gains. Vijay, who is contesting from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur, was leading in the Tiruchirappalli East constituency by 1,669 votes at the end of the first round of counting.
His main rival, DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj, was trailing in the initial round, according to early trends.
The party has entered the fray independently, taking on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aligned bloc led by the AIADMK, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile, the DMK-led alliance, backed by the Indian National Congress, is seeking to retain power in the state.
Vijay’s entry into electoral politics has effectively turned the Tamil Nadu contest into a triangular battle. For decades, the state’s political landscape has been dominated by the two Dravidian heavyweights — the DMK and AIADMK — with new entrants historically struggling to establish a lasting presence.
However, early trends from the single-phase election held on 23 April suggest a notable shift in voter preferences. Counting for all 234 seats is underway, with TVK’s performance indicating a potential disruption to the state’s long-standing bipolar political structure.
The party’s early gains point to a possible reconfiguration of Tamil Nadu politics, as Vijay positions himself as an alternative to the traditional power blocs that have shaped the state’s electoral landscape for decades. (Times of India)
