The chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), officially announced on Sunday, March 29, 2026, that he will contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from two constituencies—Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) East. In a high-stakes move to secure his maiden electoral entry, the superstar released his party’s full list of 234 candidates, positioning the April 23 polls as a direct “two-sided fight” between his “people’s team” and the ruling DMK. By fielding himself in both a working-class urban seat in the north and a central hub with diverse community equations, Vijay aims to maximize his party’s visibility and ensure a legislative foothold for his newly formed political outfit. The decision to run in two segments is viewed by political analysts as a calculated risk to mitigate the challenges of a debut campaign.
A stronghold of the DMK in North Chennai, this seat will test Vijay’s personal “star power” among urban, working-class voters. Historically a competitive seat with significant minority populations, this choice suggests a strategy to tap into broader community support in central Tamil Nadu.
During the announcement, Vijay emphasized that his candidates come from “ordinary backgrounds” rather than political dynasties. He sharpened his rhetoric against the established Dravidian majors, asserting that integrity and commitment to the people outweigh traditional political experience, which he frequently equated with corruption. The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections for all 234 seats are scheduled for April 23, 2026. Vijay began his campaign trail immediately following the announcement, though he recently faced legal hurdles after the Chennai police booked him and his cadre for a roadshow in Perambur that allegedly violated the model code of conduct regarding crowd size and timing.
With the “Whistle” symbol and a platform focused on women’s safety and a drug-free state, the TVK chief has officially transitioned from the silver screen to a multi-front political battleground.
