CHENNAI: Ending weeks of speculation over alliances, actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Sunday strongly indicated that the fledgling party would contest the forthcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on its own, ruling out tie-ups with major parties and asserting that he would not yield to any political or institutional pressure.
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Addressing a massive gathering of party workers at Mamallapuram, Vijay dismissed suggestions that he was under pressure from the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. Without naming them directly, he accused the DMK and the AIADMK of functioning as the BJP’s indirect and direct allies, respectively, branding both as corrupt forces unfit to rule Tamil Nadu.
“This is the most crucial phase of our political journey. Do you really think I am someone who will bend under pressure? Does my face show that?” Vijay asked, amid loud cheers. “I am not someone who submits to pressure. I have no pressure. But the people do,” he said.
Addressing a massive gathering of party workers at Mamallapuram, Vijay dismissed suggestions that he was under pressure from the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. Without naming them directly, he accused the DMK and the AIADMK of functioning as the BJP’s indirect and direct allies, respectively, branding both as corrupt forces unfit to rule Tamil Nadu.
“This is the most crucial phase of our political journey. Do you really think I am someone who will bend under pressure? Does my face show that?” Vijay asked, amid loud cheers. “I am not someone who submits to pressure. I have no pressure. But the people do,” he said.
His remarks come in the backdrop of his final film Jana Nayagan facing legal hurdles and his recent appearances before the CBI in New Delhi in connection with the Karur stampede case. Several DMK leaders and its allies had earlier alleged that central agencies were being used to intimidate Vijay. Rejecting such claims, he said he would not compromise his politics under any circumstances.
Referring to the ruling DMK as “Theeya Sakthi” (evil force) and the AIADMK as “Adimai Sakthi” (slave force), Vijay said both parties had “surrendered” to the BJP. “The DMK has surrendered indirectly, and the AIADMK directly. To hide this, they are releasing colourful and attractive announcements,” he said, adding that people, desperate for genuine leadership, were placing their trust in TVK and him.
Taking a sharp stand on corruption, Vijay declared that he would never indulge in graft. “Vijay will not commit corruption like previous and present rulers. I will not touch even a single paisa. I don’t need it. Not even Rs 1 of corrupt money will come near me,” he said, asserting that no stain of corruption would ever stick to him. While admitting that corruption could not be eradicated overnight, he said, “It is a process. If corruption happens before my eyes, do you think I will remain silent?”
Calling on party cadres to remain united and uncompromising, Vijay said the upcoming election would be a democratic war. “You are the commanders who will lead this battle. Every home and every vote matters to us. Booths are not places for malpractice; they are temples of democracy,” he said, urging workers to ensure voters are safely mobilised to polling booths to vote for the party’s whistle symbol.
During the event, Vijay formally unveiled the whistle as TVK’s election symbol, whistled himself, and said, in a lighter moment, “Cup-u mukkiyam, Bigil-u.”
Party leaders including N Anand, K A Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna, K G Arunraj, CTR Nirmal Kumar and hundreds of workers were present at the meeting.
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