Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu), April 8 TVK chief Vijay launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK during a campaign rally in Tirunelveli on Wednesday, alleging that if Chief Minister M K Stalin had "full powers," the event would not have taken place.
Addressing a large gathering of supporters ahead of the April 23 polls, the actor-turned-politician asserted that the ruling dispensation would have thwarted his campaign if it had complete administrative control.
"The CM would have put some kind of obstacle and prevented us from coming. But now, this is a 'caretaker government', as it is called, and he is a CM without authority," Vijay said.
Taking a swipe at the grand old party, Vijay alleged that the DMK had "pocketed" the Tamil Nadu Congress by "giving crores".
However, he claimed that the "real Congress" stands with the TVK.
"They put the Tamil Nadu Congress in their pocket by giving those few crores, but on whose side does the real Congress stand? It stands with us," he said.
Intensifying his criticism of the ruling alliance, the TVK chief characterised the DMK-led front as an opportunistic coalition built on ill-got wealth rather than ideological alignment. He expressed doubts about the internal cohesion of the ruling bloc.
"With all this money amassed through looting, he has put together a cash-box alliance," Vijay alleged.
Describing the fractured nature of the coalition, he added, "It is (now) falling apart. The top is separate, the bottom is separate, and the joint is separate. He is trying to stitch it back together. It seems people in the alliance may not even vote for each other."
The TVK founder also alleged a tacit understanding between the DMK and the BJP, suggesting that both camps share a common objective of preventing his political rise.
He said that while the alliances may appear separate outwardly, they have the same goal of keeping him away from public service.
Reflecting on his entry into politics and the response from supporters, Vijay sought to differentiate his party from traditional outfits, framing the upcoming election as an emotional moment rather than a routine democratic exercise.
"Those who seek only political gain will not understand this. This may be an election for others, but for me and those who stand with me, this is an emotion," he said.
He further targeted CM Stalin over alleged administrative failures, questioning the deterioration of law and order, rising crime rates, and corruption in various departments.
"If you had governed properly, why is women’s safety so poor? Why is there no employment for the youth? Why are murders increasing? Why is law and order weak? Why is violence rampant?" he asked, alleging that the administration is steeped in corruption.
Urging voters to support his party, Vijay asked the public to choose between what he termed an "anti-people" government led by Stalin and a leadership that "genuinely cares" for their welfare in the upcoming polls.