CHENNAI, June 23 — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay turned the tables on the opposition, who dismiss his party as an “actor’s party”, saying the people of Tamil Nadu understood him well enough to hand his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) a landmark victory in the 2026 state elections. The record shows that Vijay made these remarks in the state Assembly in response to the Governor’s address, batting away the suggestion that he had walked straight from a film set into the Chief Minister’s chair.
According to the filing, Vijay said, “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.” Vijay drew a pointed contrast between his path to power and that of most political parties, highlighting that his party’s roots stretch back well over a decade.
Sources familiar with the party’s history note that even as a fan club, the organisation was present at some of Tamil Nadu’s most defining moments, standing in solidarity with Sri Lankan Tamils in 2008 and carrying out public welfare drives through 2009. He recalled lending his voice to the cause of fishermen at a public meeting in 2011, joining the Jallikattu protests, and personally visiting the Sterlite demonstration site.
The movement also ran scholarship programmes for deserving students and issued public statements, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to social justice and public welfare. On the timeline, these events demonstrate a consistent engagement with the people of Tamil Nadu, which Vijay argues contributed to his party’s success.
A significant aspect of TVK’s campaign was its decision to contest the 2026 election alone, without any alliance. Vijay argued that this decision, combined with the people’s understanding of his party’s vision, led to a substantial vote share. The party received a considerable number of votes, emerging as a major independent political force in the state.
Vijay attributed this success to the fact that “we went to the people first and only then started our party”, a approach that set his party apart from most political parties. As the state moves forward under Vijay’s leadership, it remains to be seen how his party will navigate the complexities of governance. With TVK’s roots in social justice and public welfare, the people of Tamil Nadu will be watching closely to see how these values are translated into policy.
As the Chief Minister and his party work to deliver on their campaign promises, the next few months will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Tamil Nadu’s development. The coming weeks will likely see a flurry of activity as the new government settles in and begins to implement its agenda.
With the opposition still reeling from the surprise defeat, Vijay’s party will face the challenge of balancing the needs of various stakeholders while staying true to its core values. As the situation unfolds, it will be essential to watch how the Chief Minister and his party respond to the demands of governance, and whether they can build on the momentum that carried them to victory.
