In the wake of the devastating Karur stampede in Tamil Nadu, which claimed the lives of 41 people, actor-turned-politician Vijay has signalled that his political outfit, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), will enter the 2026 assembly elections in direct opposition to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). At a party meeting held in Mahabalipuram near Chennai on Wednesday, TVK reaffirmed its position as a standalone political force, distancing itself from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-AIADMK alliance despite overtures in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The meeting marked the first formal gathering of TVK since the Karur rally stampede on September 27, in which a large crowd surge at a party event led to the death of dozens of people, including children. The gathering in Mahabalipuram began with a solemn tribute to the victims, including families who were brought over 400 kilometres from Karur a month after the incident. The party underscored that the focus of the meeting was on the tragedy and its aftermath, and not on political alliances.

Vijay’s Political Stance and TVK’s Resolutions

TVK passed 12 resolutions at the meeting, the most notable of which included naming Vijay as the chief ministerial candidate and authorising him to decide on future alliance matters. The resolutions also included strong critiques of both the DMK-led state government and the BJP-led Union government, highlighting issues such as law and order, governance, and regional neglect.

Vijay made it clear that TVK’s positioning would continue in line with its initial 2024 strategy: as the political alternative to DMK in Tamil Nadu and the ideological counterpoint to BJP at the national level. “I’m saying again now, the fight in 2026 is between only two parties—TVK and DMK. This fight has just become stronger,” Vijay asserted in his 14-minute speech, which focused solely on the Karur tragedy and its aftermath.

The Karur Tragedy and Its Aftermath

During the Karur stampede, which occurred at a rally organized by TVK, 41 people lost their lives in a crowd surge. The tragedy drew national attention, not only because of the high death toll but also due to the political and legal complexities that followed. The BJP and AIADMK sought to court Vijay, recognising his colossal fan following among youth, particularly young men and women, as a potential electoral asset for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu.

Vijay, however, has kept his distance from these overtures. The actor-politician emphasised that TVK would remain a self-contained political alternative, independent of alliances, while still maintaining dialogue with like-minded parties on principles and governance. “There is no alliance talk for now. Our stance reflects in the resolutions passed today,” a TVK official said.

In his speech, Vijay also addressed criticism of his response to the tragedy. He had faced backlash for returning to Chennai immediately after the stampede and remaining silent for three days. Later, he connected with grieving families through video calls and transferred a ₹20 lakh solatium to each family electronically, eventually arranging for families to meet him in Mahabalipuram rather than visiting Karur directly.

Critique of DMK Leadership

Vijay did not shy away from criticising Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the DMK government for what he described as politicisation of the tragedy. According to Vijay, the state leadership spread misinformation, forced senior IAS and IPS officers to conduct joint press briefings, and hastily constituted a one-person judicial commission, which the Supreme Court later struck down.

Reading excerpts from the Supreme Court’s October 14 judgment, which transferred the investigation of the Karur stampede to the CBI, Vijay emphasised that the apex court had questioned the adequacy of the DMK government’s probe, leaving the state administration “defenseless.” “Since 1972, this is how the DMK leadership has been since no one questioned them. Today, I didn’t ask the questions but the Supreme Court did. This shows that the people have no faith in this government,” Vijay stated, framing the 2026 assembly elections as a referendum on DMK governance.

The stampede investigation is now under the CBI, following TVK’s petition against the Madras High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT). Vijay highlighted continuing restrictions imposed on TVK rallies, noting that local authorities often delay or limit permissions for venues, creating unsafe conditions. The Madras High Court, in October, directed the state to draft a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all political parties to ensure uniformity and safety in rally permissions, citing TVK’s petition.

Law, Order, and Governance Critiques

Beyond the Karur tragedy, TVK’s resolutions condemned the DMK for deteriorating law and order following the Coimbatore sexual violence case and criticised the BJP over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. TVK also highlighted attacks on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, illustrating the party’s intent to address broader regional and governance concerns, beyond immediate electoral politics.

Interestingly, Vijay refrained from directly attacking AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), only describing the AIADMK as “opportunistic” for aligning with the BJP. Similarly, his speech on Wednesday did not criticise the BJP, signalling a tactical approach to maintain TVK’s independent identity while keeping the possibility of future alliances open under principled terms.

Reactions from Other Parties

AIADMK leaders, including organising secretary D. Jayakumar, responded cautiously, emphasising that electoral outcomes would be determined by voters. “Every party will want to succeed on their own. TVK has said that their party will lead an alliance. We are saying that our party will lead an alliance. It’s just each of our party’s opinions,” Jayakumar remarked. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have actively sought to position Vijay as an NDA ally, absolving him of any wrongdoing in the Karur tragedy and criticising DMK’s alleged lapses in crowd management.

DMK leaders, on the other hand, stressed the government’s responsibility to investigate the tragedy and ensure citizen safety. TKS Elangovan noted, “When 41 people die, it is the duty of the government to inquire into what happened. Vijay may not be responsible, but a government has to take care of its citizens.”

Vijay’s Political Strategy

TVK’s meeting and resolutions underline a clear strategy for the 2026 assembly elections: Vijay positions himself as the principal challenger to DMK, maintaining a strong public narrative around accountability, governance failures, and citizen safety. By avoiding premature commitments to alliances, he preserves TVK’s political leverage, allowing the party to negotiate from a position of strength in the coming year.

At the same time, the focus on the Karur tragedy provides TVK with a moral and ethical platform to challenge the ruling government, portraying itself as a party concerned with public welfare rather than opportunistic politics. The careful management of Vijay’s personal image—compassionate yet assertive, grieving yet resolute—strengthens TVK’s credibility and outreach among voters, particularly among younger constituents and urban populations.

Looking Ahead

As Tamil Nadu gears up for the 2026 assembly elections, Vijay’s TVK is emerging as a significant political force, poised for a direct confrontation with the DMK. The party’s emphasis on law and order, governance accountability, and regional issues such as fishermen’s rights and electoral roll integrity positions it as a credible alternative.

While the BJP-AIADMK combine continues to seek alliances, TVK’s independent stance allows it to control its own narrative, negotiate selectively, and assert its identity as a principled challenger. In the weeks and months ahead, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu will be closely watched, with the Karur stampede and its fallout serving as a pivotal moment shaping electoral strategies, alliances, and public perception.

By consolidating its message around accountability and citizen welfare, Vijay and TVK appear ready to translate his immense fan following into a formidable political base, signalling that the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections may well witness a direct contest between TVK and DMK, with the actor-politician at the forefront.

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