Published Apr 21, 2026 | 1:13 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 21, 2026 | 1:13 PM
Christian leaders met Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Synopsis: Christian organisations across denominations appear to be leaning towards the DMK alliance, with religious leaders and grassroots networks signalling clear support for the Dravidian party ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Despite claims surfacing that Christian communities are backing Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, there is little concrete evidence on the ground to suggest a significant shift.
With polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for 23 April and campaigning coming to an end on Tuesday, 21 April, the political atmosphere has intensified.
At a time when youth votes and women’s votes are expected to play a decisive role in deciding victory and defeat, a key question is heating up the political arena: Where will the votes of Christians, a minority community, go this time?
On one hand, reports suggest that some Christian organisations are extending support to actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). On the other hand, just two days ago, more than 25 Christian organisations met Chief Minister MK Stalin and held discussions with him.
Also Read: Tamil Nadu Assembly polls-2026 in a nutshell
In Tamil Nadu, Christians constitute over six percent of the total population. Along with Muslims, they are being seen as an unavoidable vote bank and a significant factor in deciding the party that would govern the state. Therefore, for any party to win in Tamil Nadu, the support of minority voters is considered essential.
There has long been a general perception in Tamil Nadu that Christians and Muslims tend to vote for parties aligned with the Congress alliance. In this election, with the AIADMK allied with the BJP, it is expected that Muslim votes will consolidate in favour of the DMK-led secular progressive alliance.
Reflecting this, key Muslim outfits such as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, and Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi have also aligned with the DMK coalition.
Meanwhile, the recently introduced amendments to the FCRA (Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act) of the Union government have sparked opposition from Christian organisations across the country, including in Tamil Nadu. Notably, Chief Minister MK Stalin has raised his voice against it.
In this context, on 19 April, leaders from more than 25 Christian organisations in Tamil Nadu met Stalin and expressed their gratitude. During the meeting, they collectively told him, “Just as you raise your voice for us, we will stand firmly with you.”
Representatives from several major Christian bodies attended the meeting, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of South India (CSI), Church Federation, Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (Roman Catholic), Evangelical Church of India, Tamil Nadu Latin Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Methodist Church of India, and Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church.
To know more about the Church’s political leaning, South First spoke to a senior nun from the St. Joseph of the Lions congregation, who has worked across several dioceses in Tamil Nadu.
Choosing to stay anonymous, she said, “Prominent priests belonging to the Catholic Church are actively campaigning among Christians to vote for the DMK alliance.”
Similarly, a Christian from Chennai said, “After Mass, priests said that we have supported the DMK since Kalaignar’s time, and should continue to support the DMK this time as well.”
She further added that during Mass, there were also messages urging people not to give space to divisive and communal forces.
Amid all this, a notice purportedly issued by Christian organisations is circulating on social media.
According to the notice, Tamil Nadu is witnessing a four-cornered contest, and Christians must carefully examine the background of all four fronts before choosing. It specifically targeted the NDA led by the AIADMK and the BJP, stating that over the past 12 years in power at the Centre, it has introduced several anti-minority laws.
Pointing to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the notice said that one should not vote for someone merely because they are a Christian. It stresses that policies and principles must be examined. It also claimed that although Vijay calls the BJP his ideological opponent, he lacks clarity in opposing it and does not have a clear stand.
The notice further stated that the DMK has provided good governance over the past five years and implemented several welfare schemes. It also mentioned that land has been allocated for burial grounds for Christians in several districts. However, it noted that some demands of Christian institutions and educational establishments remain unfulfilled.
Overall, the notice appears almost entirely as an appeal urging Christians to vote for the DMK alliance.
Also Read: Who will Tamil Nadu women vote for?
While Christian religious leaders are openly meeting Stalin and expressing support, there is also a parallel narrative claiming that Christians are backing Vijay. However, South First could not find any concrete evidence to back the claim.
In Tiruchirappalli East, where Vijay is contesting, the DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj, who is also associated with Christian goodwill movements, is seen by many as someone who is likely to attract Christian votes.
When South First spoke with Christians in Perambur (Chennai), another constituency where Vijay is contesting, a source said that thousands of pastors from the Pentecostal denomination had held meetings and decided to support the DMK.
Additionally, it was claimed that across North Chennai, priests from numerous small and large churches, though not openly endorsing any party inside churches, are instead holding meetings with churchgoers and urging them to vote for the DMK.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
