TVK conference HIGHLIGHTS | Vijay declares war against BJP, DMK at party's first public meet

CHENNAI: Actor-politician Vijay delivered a fiery speech at the first State conference of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the nascent party launched by him this year.

Declaring war against the BJP and the DMK, Vijay said, "There is a group that has been creating divisions among the society. The ones who are creating divisions are our first enemy. The ones who are claiming Dravidian ideology but are looting Tamil Nadu as a family are our next rivals," he said in a veiled reference to the two parties.

At the meeting, he also hinted at power sharing in alliance in the 2026 assembly polls.

Earlier on Sunday, in an unfortunate turn of events, three TVK supporters died in two separate road accidents, while en route to the conference in Vikravandi.

Vijay's supporters had started thronging the conference venue early on Sunday, braving the hot sun with the hope of catching a glimpse of their 'Thalapathy' (Commander) – some of them camping there from Saturday night itself – leading to traffic chaos along the routes to V Salai village in Vikravandi where the meet was held.

Here are highlights from TVK's first conference:

According to Thanthi TV reports, Vijay's parents, Shobha and SA Chandrashekar, are scheduled to arrive at the conference venue at 11 am.

Heavy traffic congestion is being reported on V Salai, with vehicles lined up for about two km leading to the conference. To prevent the congestion from worsening, vehicles are being allowed to pass through Vikravandi toll plaza without collecting the fare.

There are also heavy queues at the Chengalpattu toll plaza due to the large number of vehicles carrying TVK supporters, who are streaming to the venue on buses and vans, and two and four-wheelers, all adorned with the party flag.

Reports said there is mobile phone network issues at the conference venue, making it difficult for supporters and fans to contact families or send photos and videos.

More than 20 people who came to attend the TVK State conference swooned, says a Thanthi TV report.

There still are many hours left for the commencement of the first State conference of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the nascent party launched by actor Vijay, but a large number of people have already reached the venue – some of them camping there from Saturday night itself – leading to traffic chaos along the routes to V Salai village in Vikravandi where the meeting is happening.

The parking facilities, set across five locations within a 250-acre area, are already reported to be 50 per cent full; within an hour or so, the remaining will also fill up. That is when the vehicles are expected to be parked on the highway near the venue, which in turn would pose trouble for other road users.

Though the initial plan was to open the gates only at 10 am, the party functionaries had to open them much earlier after the heavy flow of supporters and fans. Many who gained entry disregarded the arrangements and jumped the barricades to occupy the seats in front reserved for VIPs and women.

Reports said there is seating space for only about 50,000 people, while at least two lakh are expected to attend the meeting.

A Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) supporter died while another is battling for life after they met with an accident in Teynampet on Sunday morning while on the way to attend the party’s first State conference in Vikravandi, as reported by Thanthi TV. READ FULL REPORT HERE

Months after announcing his political party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), top Tamil actor Vijay is likely to spell out his political agenda and vision for the state during his keenly watched maiden public meeting here on Sunday.

Vijay has announced facing the 2026 Assembly polls, spicing up the political battlefield long dominated by the Dravidian rivals DMK and the AIADMK, with a resurgent BJP under K Annamalai making some impressive strides in this year's Lok Sabha polls. The saffron party is keen to put up a good show in the hustings in 2026 as well.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Traffic has been disrupted on the Tiruchy-Chennai National Highway, with long queues of vehicles extending up to a 10 km stretch, due to an increase in the volunteers attending the TVK conference, said a Daily Thanthi alert.

- The TVK meet venue has turned into a family picnic spot 

- Eatables are being sold by small vendors, who occupy over a one-kilometre stretch opposite the venue. Customers claim the vendors are fleecing them as a 1-litre mineral water bottle is being sold for Rs 25

- Youngsters, mostly clad in white shirts and carrying the TVK flag, are seen chanting 'Thalapathy vaazhga'

According to Daily Thanthi, the TVK conference, originally scheduled to begin at 4 PM, will now start an hour earlier at 3 PM.

DT Next correspondent reports that there is a distance of about one kilometre from the designated parking area and the party meet venue, forcing those who came by two-wheeler and car to walk the distance under the scorching sun.

Traffic police too are facing a tough time due to the large inflow of vehicles at the venue.

Inside the venue too, people are unable to bear the heat, as there aren't enough shelters or adequate drinking water.

"We will be providing water bottles and snack packets. We kindly request your cooperation and patience as we bring the items from the vehicles. Please pass them along instead of throwing them," said TVK general secretary Bussy Anand at the venue

Two more people who were on their way to attend the TVK conference have died in a car accident, a Thanthi TV report said. Six people got hurt in the mishap.

Earlier on Sunday morning, one person died while another sustained severe injuries when a lorry collided with their two-wheeler at Teynampet in Chennai.

READ FULL REPORT HERE

Tamil film actors Vijay Sethupathi, Prabhu, Sivakarthikeyan and filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj have extended their wishes for Vijay-led TVK's first state conference.

Ninety percent of the seats at the TVK conference have been filled, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

Thanthi TV reports say that some TVK supporters and Vijay fans walked 20 km to reach the party conference venue in V Salai

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) members seen around the stage. The party conference is expected to commence soon.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin conveyed his wishes to TVK chief Vijay for his party's inaugural State conference.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's first state conference has officially commenced with songs from actor-party chief Vijay's films playing at the venue as party functionaries and attendees await his arrival.

Actor-TVK chief Vijay is expected to arrive shortly and hoist the party flag at the conference.

Actor and TVK chief Vijay has arrived on stage to loud cheers from the hundreds at the state conference venue. He is seen donning a shawl in the party flag colours.

Actor and TVK chief Vijay hoists the party flag to the sound of the flag anthem being blasted on loudspeakers.

TVK functionaries Sampath Kumar and Catherine Pandian speak about the party's aims and principles:

- Drug-Free Initiative: The party aims to eradicate drugs and create a drug-free Tamil Nadu

- Equality for All: TVK will advocate for the rights and equality of women, transgender individuals, and marginalized communities

- Social Justice: The party will emphasise the importance of social justice, with no bias towards any specific religion

- Defending Democracy: TVK will challenge both the State and Union governments to uphold democratic values

- Combating Untouchability: The party declares caste-based untouchability a crime and will work to eliminate it

- Governor Position Removal: TVK will demand the abolition of the role of governor in the state

- Educational Expansion: TVK plans to establish technological universities to enhance educational opportunities

- Bilingual Commitment: TVK will conduct its activities in both Tamil and English to reach a broader audience

- Handloom Initiative: Government employees will be encouraged to wear handloom clothing twice a week to promote traditional crafts

- Abolishing Mining Mafia: New laws will be enacted to dismantle illegal sand and mining mafias

- Wildlife Protection: Additional measures will be implemented to safeguard endangered species and expand their natural habitats

TVK functionary Catherine Pandian in her speech emphasised on farmers rights, illegal sand mining and gender equality amongst other issues.

Actor-TVK chief Vijay enthusiastically ran across a ramp leading from the stage to greet excited fans and party workers at the first conference of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in Vikravandi.

Actor-TVK chief Vijay has begun his speech.

If a child sees a snake, it will smile at it, the same way it smiles at its parents, and continue playing. Does it mean the child is not scared?...That snake is politics... others have commented that I am a child in politics, that I am not serious. But whether it is a snake or politics, I will play on the battlefield with full seriousness and a little humour: Vijay

Vijay said he won't give long speeches to rouse people like typical politicians, stating that he has learnt to speak in a crisp manner instead.

"Not just science and technology, even politics has to change and evolve. The only thing that doesn't change is suffering," he said.

"What is the problem? What is the solution for it? What is required, and how can it be done? We have to speak like this... in a short, sweet and clear way. That's what we need to do... that is our duty to the people," Vijay stressed.

"Our guiding spirits are the ones who lived in this land. They are Periyar - there will be some who will question that choice. We won't adopt his atheism, we aren't against anyone's beliefs. But social justice, rationalism, women empowerment, we will adopt all other ideas that Periyar propounded. Then K Kamaraj, then BR Ambedkar. We are proudly proclaiming Ambedkar as a guiding spirit for reservation and for striving to end caste discrimination. Then braveheart Velu Nachiyar. Then comes Anjalai Ammal," Vijay said.

"We should work in such a way that we should be known to be wise...At any cost, no compromise in our political battle...till our goal is reached, we will burn like fire. What can we achieve by accumulating wealth? How can we give it back to the people who gave us everything? The answer to that was politics. Now we have entered. Now no scope for rethinking. We shouldn't limit ourselves to giving speeches about ourselves; we should prove who we are by actions. We will know our rivals soon; they announced themselves when we made our decision to float the party," Vijay said.

Just by saying there is rice, people's hunger won't end, we have to give them rice, says Vijay; "We don't agree with those who say we have to teach people to fish and not just give them the fish; if people can fish, then let it be, for those who can't, we will feed them," he says.

"Corrupt people are wearing masks of ideology and ruling us. I am saying this again - we are being lorded over by the corrupt who are hiding behind masks of ideology. People won't allow anyone to divide the society on the basis of caste and religion. Because that is the quality of this land," said Vijay

Our ideology should be real and true. Not merely slogans of politics of change...We have to free the land from the grip of those who have it in their control...We have taken the decision, there is no looking back...This is not a social media gang; but a mass gathering not for cash but for a good cause... The people who gathered here aren't the only ones with us, but the millions who are there around the State: Vijay

We will face the corrupt and fake ideology people in the field of election. The time is not far, elections will happen in 2026. Each vote for TVK will be like nuclear bombs: Vijay

Nobody can colour our party with the colour of their ideologies, says Vijay

"There is a group that has been creating divisions among the society. The ones who are creating divisions are our first enemy. The ones who are claiming Dravidian ideology, but are looting Tamil Nadu as a family are our next rivals. You are cheating people in the name of Dravidian Model," says Vijay in a veiled reference to the BJP and the DMK, warning that 'nobody can colour our party with the colour of their ideologies'.

In a dig at the ruling party in the state, he said, "They go on about fascism but what are they? Payasam?" he asked

"Don't worry, your son, brother, friend, this friend has come to the field. Shelter, food and security - those are our political aims," Vijay told the crowd.

Those who called actors who turned politicians like me as 'koothadis' (derogatory word) forget that koothu is an inherent part of Tamil culture and pride: Vijay;

"I am not the only one who was called 'koothadi'. Even MGR and NTR were called that...Film is not just dance and songs. It is a tool for social change. Isn't that how the DMK itself grew?...

"'Koothadi' is not a slur or an insult. Koothu will speak values, politics, truth... nobody will understand the sadness and anger that is inside a 'koothadi'/artiste," said Vijay, adding that he is also a 'koothadi' who has come to the top through sheer effort and toil.

"The public connects with 'Koothadi' because he is one of them...When I came to the field, they insulted me about my looks, my colour, my hair...But I persisted. I didn't give up. That is how I came up...At every stage, we undergo transformation. From an average boy to an actor to a responsible adult to a socially conscious man to a political cadre. Tomorrow? It is not my call, it is that of the people," he said.

"I am not worried because the results of my hard work is in the tips of your finger. At the peak of my career, I am taking this risk because I trust in people," the TVK chief emphasised.

Vijay urged for a caste census to ensure proportional representation, social justice and equality

"The highlights of TVK's action plan: protection for children, women and elders; equitable education, and all basic facilities; proportional representation, for which caste census is necessary," he said.

Whether it is our ideological enemy or our political enemy, we will fight decently: Vijay;

"Some say this Vijay doesn't take anyone's name, that he is scared. I am not taking names not because I am scared. But only because I am not here to throw dirt on anyone. That's not our politics - ours is decent approach, decent attack, but we will go deep with our work," the TVK chief emphasised.

A confident Vijay went on to say, "We will come to power with our own majority. Now a nuclear bomb: we will share power with those who come with us. A new year, a new political field awaits us," he said while signing off his speech.

The first TVK state conference has come to an end.

For social justice and rationalism, caste survey and reservation, and welfarism. Against communalism, corruption, and dynastic politics. Eight months after he announced the formation of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, actor-politician Vijay positioned his nascent outfit as an ideological mix of popular politics in Tamil Nadu, ticking the right boxes in both for and against columns.

In his first public speech as a politician at the TVK’s maiden State public conference in Villupuram on Sunday, Vijay also identified the rivals whom his party would fight.

READ FULL STORY HERE

DMK and its allies were cautious in their response to actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay's speech at his party's maiden conference attacking communal politics and accusing the ruling DMK government of corruption, without naming the party.

DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi said that DMK is like a banyan tree, in response to Vijay’s talk. "There is a Tamil saying that the tree that bears fruit will be stoned. So we can withstand anyone pelting stones on us," he said responding to the question on Vijay's veiled criticism of DMK.

READ FULL REPORT HERE

Positioning the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as the alternative force in Tamil Nadu politics, Vijay in his speech at the party’s first State conference on Sunday referred to the BJP as its ideological enemy and the DMK as its political adversary.

Declaring war against the BJP and the DMK, Vijay said, "There is a group that has been creating divisions among the society. The ones who are creating divisions are our first enemy. The ones who are claiming Dravidian ideology but are looting Tamil Nadu as a family are our next rivals," he said in an indirect reference to the two parties ruling the Centre and Tamil Nadu.

The actor-politician announced that the TVK would contest all 234 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, declaring there would be no retreat or rethinking. “At any cost, there will be no compromise in our political battle. Till our goal is reached, we will burn like fire.”

READ FULL STORY HERE