In Vellore (Tamil Nadu), Feb 23 Vijay, founder of TVK, stepped up his attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, alleging that the DMK president's "real friends were bribery and corruption," and asserting that the upcoming elections were "a battle between Vijay and Stalin."
Addressing a meeting of party members in Vellore, a DMK stronghold, he also became emotional and asserted that "Vijay and the people of Tamil Nadu cannot be separated. We are like flesh and blood."
The actor-politician said he represented the entire state. "This is a sensitive matter," he declared, amidst cheers from supporters, and said, "Do you want Vijay and believe in Vijay, who loves the people, or do you want Stalin, who runs an anti-people regime?"
Referring to Stalin's statement that the Chief Minister had no political enemies and that all were his friends, Vijay said, "Then why blame me for the Karur stampede? Why refuse TVK (rallies and events) if we are friends? You did everything and then blamed us for the Karur tragedy."
At least 41 people died and many were injured during a stampede at Vijay's rally in Karur on September 27, 2025.
He reiterated that TVK is a "pure force" and accused the DMK of being an "evil force."
Describing the upcoming polls, expected to be held in the next two months, as "surprising elections" because all parties have teamed up against him, he said, despite this scenario, the contest was only between the DMK and TVK.
He said these parties oppose him because he is against graft and bribes. He added that people support him, which has angered these parties.
He also challenged his political opponents to declare their assets. "At this juncture, I would like to ask the big politicians a serious question. What were your assets before you entered politics? What are your assets after you joined politics? Can it be declared openly?"
Further, he asked them to "reveal their source of wealth: Whether it came from business/work or was obtained through corruption after assuming power." He said all corrupt elements would gang up on anyone questioning the source of their wealth, adding that they would "throw mud on us, but we are not concerned about it."
He alleged that Stalin's "real friends are bribery and corruption." He also accused the Chief Minister of making false promises to the people and sought to refute the ruling party's claim of developing Tamil Nadu into a "superpower state," saying it was "such a powerful" state during the times of iconic leaders K Kamaraj, CN Annadurai, and M G Ramachandran.
Vijay, the chief of the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), also criticized the DMK's narrative that the upcoming polls were a fight between "Tamil Nadu and Delhi – the NDA." "The actual battle was between the state's people and corruption – by extension, the DMK," he said, alleging that the Stalin-led government was "inept."
"The assembly election is a battle between Vijay and Stalin," he said.
Dubbing the DMK regime as "good-for-nothing ulta (a popular colloquial phrase with origins in Hindi) model government," he alleged that Tamil Nadu has been transformed into a "super-stand-up comedian-run state".
"Be what you want to be. But your governance is flawed and not required for Tamil Nadu," he said.
Praising people for superb clarity, he said he would visit every village and personally meet the people once the TVK formed the government following a huge win in the 2026 Assembly election.
He also took a swipe at the DMK forming alliances, claiming Stalin was accommodating anybody and everybody in the party-led bloc.
Vijay arrived to a rousing reception by party workers at Agaramcheri village near the Pallikonda toll plaza on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway in this district and administered the pledge to the TVK members.
"No one can buy us, our vote is for (party symbol) whistle. We won't believe anyone and get deceived. We won't deviate from our words. This is the truth," Vijay said and asked his party workers to repeat after him.
Positioning himself as a "whistleblower" for Tamil Nadu, he targeted the DMK over its "unfulfilled" electoral assurances, alleging deterioration in the law and order situation.
He gave a string of assurances if voted to power, including top-notch education and good restrooms for girls in state-run schools.
Quoting Dravidian icon Annadurai, Vijay reiterated that the TVK's stand was secularism and social justice.
The DMK reacted strongly to Vijay's attack, with senior party leader TKS Elangovan slamming Vijay for his attempt to hide the Chief Minister's over 50-year history of struggle and toil for the sake of people's welfare.
"It is actually Vijay who has done only comical things in his life and thus a stand-up comedian who also dances," he said and added that the election results will show the Chief Minister's hard work for the people.