Actor-turned-politician Vijay on Thursday mounted a fierce attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at a public meeting in Erode, accusing the government of administrative failure, broken promises and deep-rooted corruption. Branding the DMK as an “evil force,” he projected his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), as a “clean” and “pure force” poised to offer an alternative ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The Erode meeting marked Vijay’s first public appearance in the state since the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives. Addressing the gathering, he sought to connect with local cultural and agricultural symbolism, stating that turmeric is traditionally associated with auspicious beginnings and carries a positive spiritual energy. He said the colour and significance of manjal were reflected in the Tamil flag and described Erode as a sacred land where turmeric cultivation thrived, closely tying the region’s identity to farming.
Turning to irrigation and agriculture, Vijay highlighted the historic Kaalingarayan canal, describing it as vital to the prosperity of local farmers. He narrated a popular legend associated with the canal, recalling how Kaalingarayan’s mother contributed money earned from selling curd and milk to complete the project. Drawing an emotional parallel, Vijay said that just as a mother’s support made such achievements possible, the encouragement he received from the people of Erode gave him the confidence to move forward in politics.
Vijay alleged that there were deliberate attempts to derail his political journey through conspiracies, but insisted that his bond with the people was longstanding and unbreakable. He reminded the audience that his relationship with Tamil Nadu was not recent but spanned over three decades since his entry into cinema. Declaring that he had given up everything to serve the people, he said no amount of opposition could separate him from public support.
Engaging directly with the crowd, Vijay sought reassurance that the people would stand by him, drawing loud cheers in response. He said the overwhelming support he received was something he would remain thankful for throughout his life, reinforcing his claim that his political strength flowed directly from the people.
Invoking social reformer Periyar, Vijay referred to him as the “Iron Man of Erode” and credited him with transforming Tamil Nadu’s social fabric. He said Periyar laid the ideological foundation of the state, while leaders like Anna Durai and MGR translated those ideals into political strategy and electoral success. Vijay warned against misusing Periyar’s name for personal gain, accusing the DMK of doing so, and declared such actions made them both TVK’s political and ideological enemies.
Vijay asserted that TVK would oppose only those forces that contest the 2026 elections against his party. Accusing the DMK of misleading the electorate, he questioned how many false promises had been made, including commitments to ban NEET and waive education loans. He remarked that the DMK and its failures were inseparably bound, likening their association to an unbreakable adhesive.
Raising concerns over agriculture-related policy failures, Vijay alleged that despite floating tenders worth crores for research institutions, the government had done nothing to enhance the value of turmeric. He claimed corruption plagued procurement processes even where prices were fixed for crops like sugarcane and paddy, and demanded fair pricing for turmeric along with proper distribution of seeds to farmers.
On environmental and water management issues, Vijay criticised the government for failing to fulfil promises to interlink rivers such as the Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravathi. He also warned against unchecked sand quarrying, cautioning that reckless exploitation could permanently damage the region’s natural resources and erase its distinctive red soil.
Addressing economic grievances, Vijay said nearly 30 per cent of payments to weavers were still pending and accused the government of burdening MSMEs with exorbitant electricity charges to favour private players. He questioned how such policies could coexist with claims of being a model government, asking pointedly whether the ruling party felt any shame.
Responding to critics who dismissed his speeches as cinematic rhetoric, Vijay said the duration or style of his speech was irrelevant. He emphasised that he deliberately avoided derogatory politics despite being capable of harsher attacks, stating that restraint was a conscious choice rooted in respect for public discourse.
Clarifying remarks made during an earlier event in Kancheepuram, Vijay said he was not opposed to welfare schemes but objected to the manner in which beneficiaries were labelled. He stressed that people should live with dignity and said he would always stand with the public, ensuring respect remained central to governance.
Questioning the government’s claims of progress, Vijay asked why thousands of government posts remained vacant, why student dropouts persisted despite assurances of universal education, and whether women were truly safe in the state. He urged the audience to reflect honestly on these issues, saying they represented the ground reality.
Recalling his past confusion over why leaders like MGR and Jayalalithaa were particularly critical of the DMK, Vijay said he now fully understood their stance and reiterated that the DMK was an “evil force.” In contrast, he once again positioned TVK as a clean and principled alternative.
Vijay described the induction of former minister Sengottaiyan into TVK as a major boost for the party and hinted that more leaders would soon follow. Taking a swipe at a recent comment made by the Chief Minister, Vijay questioned how people were expected to interpret the DMK leadership’s character, asserting that both state and Union governments needed to understand his character, which he said reflected the will of the people.
Concluding his address, Vijay declared that the 2026 elections would mark a turning point in Tamil Nadu politics and that the people would deliver a decisive message. At the end of the event, Sengottaiyan presented Vijay with a sengol, symbolising leadership and authority, as the crowd applauded enthusiastically.
