In First Political Rally, Actor Vijay Takes 'Anti-People' Jibe at DMK, Bats for Secularism

Villupuram: Actor-turned-politician Vijay on Sunday disclosed his party's, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), idealogy as 'secular social justice' with leaders like EVR Periyar and K Kamaraj as its guiding lights. In his maiden political rally, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party chief also termed his first opponent an "ideological enemy" which does "divisive politics" and second as a "political enemy" who runs a "corrupted government" with masks of the Dravidian model.

Vijay-led TVK's conference was held on Sunday in V Salai, Vikravandi where lakhs of supporters of Vijay thronged the venue and participated in the party's first-ever state conference.

Vijay also accused Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin-led DMK of deceiving the public under the guise of the Dravidian model and termed the DMK government "anti-people."

Taking a veiled jibe at DMK over its "dynastic politics", he said, "Here one group singing the same song. Applying specific colour to whoever comes for politics. They are cheating people and they are doing underground dealing. In the name of the Dravidian Model running anti people's government cheating the people. TVK's first ideological enemy is who troubles this country with divisive politics. The second is in the name of the Dravidian model and using the names of Thanthai Periyar and Peraringanar Anna cheat Tamil Nadu people which is one selfish family group (Dynasty)."

Talking about possible challenges he might face in future, he further said that he is "a baby in politics but not fearful of it."

"First time when baby says 'Amma' (Mother) mother will get goosebumps. Mother can explain that goosebumps but child can't explain that. The child is only able to laugh. In a similar situation like that, I am standing before you all. When a snake appears before the same baby. A baby who smiled seeing its mother would do the same with the snake. It would play with a snake. The question would arise whether the child is not scared of snakes. When a Child is unable to express its love how it would know to express the fear. Here that snake is Politics. Catching that in hand and I have started to play. Others have opined that we are new to politics. But even if that is snake we are not sacred that is our confidence. I am a baby in politics but not fearful of it," Vijay added.

'Politics is Not a Cine Field, It is a Battlefield'

The top actor further stated that politics is "not a cine field but a battlefield," cautioning his party members to be vigilant on the ground.

"Politics is not a cine field; it is a battlefield. It's serious. Whether it's dealing with a snake or politics, if we decide to take it up with seriousness and a touch of humour, only then can we endure in this field and handle opponents. We need to stay cautious on the ground," he further said.

He also pledged to follow the legacies of Dravidian icon Periyar, former Chief Minister Kamaraj, B.R. Ambedkar, Rani Velu Nachiyar, and Anjali Ammal.

"We have Thanthai Periyar as our ideology leader. With paint boxex one group would question our ideological leader Periyar. I will come to that later. We are not only taking forward Periyar's atheist ideology. And we are not aligned with that also. We are not against any one god's beliefs. Our stand is the same as Peraringnar Anna who said Only one race, Only one God" (Ondre Kulam Oruvanae Devan). However, we are going to take forward Periyar's Women empowerment, Social Justice, Social Change and rationalism" Vijay further added.

"There is a group that has been creating divisions within society. Those who create divisions are our first enemy. Those who claim to uphold Dravidian ideology but are exploiting Tamil Nadu as a family enterprise are our next rivals. Our one enemy is divisive power, the other enemy is corrupted artists," he added.

Discussing Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's ideology, the actor-turned-politician emphasised that they were not aiming to "separate Dravidian Nationalism and Tamil Nationalism."

"These are the two eyes of this land. We shouldn't limit ourselves to any one identity," he added. He further read the action plan of the party and mentioned women, elders, and children's safety should be ensured, a caste census should be taken, and power shared with allies.

Speaking about the NEET , Vijay added, "When I lost my own sister I had a devastating impact, the same impact I had when we lost our sister Anitha through NEET. Don't worry anymore my sisters, I have come, I have come as your brother."

"People call me Koothadi, Koothu (folk) is our culture, and tradition. MGR and NTR were called names but they ruled their states. Cinema is over entertainment, the Dravidar Kazhagam took their principles to the common man through that," he added.

He further said that TVK reflects left-leaning Dravidian ideology in major aspects and questioned the governor's position, "two language policy, upholding Social Justice, equality, secularism and democracy."

Marking a significant moment at his first state conference in Vikravandi, actor and political leader Vijay hoisted the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) flag on a towering 101-foot flagpole. As the inaugural conference of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) began, Vijay was presented with significant books, including the Indian Constitution, Bhagavad Gita, Quran, and Bible. Vijay entered political arena and launched his party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, in February this year ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, expected to take place in 2026.