Chennai, April 1 Actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay is set to file his nomination papers for the Tiruchirappalli (East) assembly constituency on April 2, setting the stage for a high-profile electoral contest in central Tamil Nadu.
Vijay, who is contesting from two seats in the upcoming April 23 Assembly elections – the other being Perambur in Chennai – will submit his papers to Returning Officer Muthu Murugesa Pandiyan at the Ariyamangalam Zonal Office of the Trichy Corporation around 12:30 pm on April 2, TVK officials said.
Following the nomination, the TVK chief is scheduled to launch his campaign in the city, Aadhav Arjuna, General Secretary of Election Campaign Management, TVK, told reporters here on Wednesday, following a meeting with the Chief Electoral Officer.
According to him, his team has sought police permission for public addresses at the historic Marakkadai Junction, near the MGR statue, and in the KK Nagar-Wireless Road area near the city airport.
He also raised concerns over alleged police restrictions ahead of Vijay's visit to Trichy. Arjuna stated that police have instructed Vijay not to stand and wave to supporters from his vehicle en route from the Trichy airport to the nomination venue, classifying it as an unauthorized 'road show'.
"We are not asking for a roadshow. If supporters cannot see him along the 7-km stretch from the airport, they will inevitably converge at the designated meeting spot, which leads to overcrowding and potential stampedes," Arjuna said.
He urged the police to temporarily block approaching roads for an hour at the campaign venues to create a "free zone", ensuring the safety of both the public and the party leader.
Arjuna also alleged that the ruling DMK is deliberately using the police machinery to create administrative hurdles and stall the TVK chief's campaign momentum.
The Trichy East constituency is gearing up for a fierce multi-cornered fight. Vijay faces a formidable challenge from the ruling DMK's incumbent MLA, Inigo Iruthayaraj, and the principal opposition AIADMK's candidate, G Rajasekaran.
Elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly will be held in a single phase on April 23, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.