Salem, Feb 13 – In a massive rally here on Friday, TVK chief Vijay asserted that his offer to share power with allies has turned into a "political bomb" in Tamil Nadu, as it has become a demand in all alliances and has "rocked" DMK President and Chief Minister MK Stalin, who has refused to share power with the Congress.
While the rally, where Vijay spoke, attracted a large crowd, it was marred by the death of a 37-year-old man who collapsed and died on the way to the hospital. TVK said the party was concerned about the safety of the public and stood with the family of the deceased. Strangely, another man was also found dead near the venue, and police said he died due to personal issues and it had nothing to do with the political event.
Seeking "justice," Vijay accused the DMK regime of scuttling his party's rallies through "Stalin Sir's Operating Procedure."
With Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place, permission was granted for other political parties for events, but not for TVK.
In his address, Vijay dramatically claimed that his party, alone, has grown into Tamil Nadu's primary force within two years of its founding, and that its support base among the people has crossed 30 per cent. By emphasizing this 30 per cent support, seen as a marker towards forming a government, Vijay has once again expressed confidence of winning the elections easily.
Regarding the deaths, the DMK wondered how many more lives would be lost before the Assembly election, and AIADMK said those attending TVK rallies should bring their own coffins. The BJP also criticized TVK over the deaths. TVK defended, saying the party had already appealed to its members and the public to refrain from attending the meeting.
In September last year, 41 people died in a stampede at Vijay's rally in Karur.
In this rally, indicating that his political entry is shaking the established bipolar politics of the state, the TVK founder said: "Do you remember my political bomb at the Vikravandi rally; offering to share power? It is now exploding recklessly in all the alliances, CM Stalin sir is rattled and he says that power sharing will not suit Tamil Nadu."
For the DMK, the alliance is only for winning the elections, and for everything else, they will handle it on their own.
Interestingly, when Vijay referred to "other things," he made a gesture that clearly meant money, apparently targeting the DMK.
Mocking at DMK's 'Velvom Ondraga' election slogan (Let us win together), Vijay said, "We will win together; but we will see all alone the wealth that comes." This is the secret of "we will win together," and I think those who need to understand will understand it well.
Vijay, at the Vikravandi rally, had assured a share in governance and power if his party was voted to power.
The TVK chief asserted that he would demonstrate that good governance is possible to those who love the people. Vijay challenged leaders in rival parties to start their own parties and secure at least one per cent votes.
Without naming the AIADMK, the TVK chief defended his party's stand of not attacking it, hinting that the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu has been rejected by the people. Moreover, the 2026 Assembly election is a fight between his party and the DMK, he said.
Denouncing cash for votes, he said: "They will bring loads of money, they will solicit promises from you in the name of God; that is how they have been deceiving you for many years, take it happily as it is your money. Take it and blow the whistle (TVK symbol) into their ears and send them away."
The ruling DMK lashed out at Vijay for his strident criticism of the party, saying the actor-politician "simply wants to become CM."
Responding to Vijay's assertion that the TVK would emerge victorious in the 2026 Assembly elections, DMK leader T K S Elangovan remarked that several actors in the past have launched political parties and drawn massive crowds but failed to sustain their presence.
"Vijay has not taken part in any agitation for the sake of the people. His intention is not the people; he simply wants to become the chief minister."
Accusing the CM of lying and misleading people before coming to power, and now, when "leaving power," the TVK chief said, "you (CM) are on another level when it comes to speaking contradictory things, sir."
Vijay said the CM had been making contradictory statements on fulfilling electoral assurances, ranging from 70 per cent in 2022 to 90 per cent in 2025. This claim was about 80 per cent this year. As the election draws closer, it may drop to even 30 to 20 per cent. The TVK chief blamed the CM for his "blatant, outrageous lies."
Ridiculing Stalin for his often-repeated comment that "Tamil Nadu is always out of Delhi's control," Vijay said he would like to list matters that are out of Stalin's control. He alleged: "First of all, law and order is out of control. In women's safety, it is out of control. In employment for young people, it is out of control. Overall, his regime/rule itself is out of control."
He asked why various sections of society, including fishermen, farmers, nurses, teachers, and sanitation and anganwadi workers were staging protests if people are happy. He listed several "basic problems," including civic issues, and wondered why there was a ruling party in the first place if so many basic issues remained unaddressed.
