He alleged that despite being Stalin’s home district, Thiruvarur was “withering like dried fish” with no basic facilities.
Published Sep 20, 2025 | 7:36 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 20, 2025 | 7:36 PM
TVK chief Vijay in Thiruvarur.
Synopsis: Targeting the ruling DMK, TVK chief Vijay has been conducting election campaigns across Tamil Nadu. Addressing a rally in Chief Minister MK Stalin’s home district, Thiruvarur, he said the area was “withering like dried fish” with no basic facilities. He pointed to poor roads, lack of full-fledged university departments, and non-functional medical college equipment.
Addressing a massive rally in Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Saturday, 20 September, wore a green shawl to express solidarity with farmers and launched an all-out attack on Chief Minister MK Stalin and the DMK government.
The actor-turned-politician said that while the Thiruvarur chariot festival was once revived with pride, the “chariot of Tamil Nadu” has now been tied down by the present chief minister. “Instead of keeping the state moving, he has stopped it on all four sides and even calls that a matter of pride,” Vijay charged.
He alleged that despite being Stalin’s home district, Thiruvarur was “withering like dried fish” with no basic facilities. He pointed to poor roads, lack of full-fledged university departments, and non-functional medical college equipment.
Vijay has been conducting election campaigns across Tamil Nadu, touring various districts every weekend. After campaigning last week in Tiruchirappalli and Ariyalur districts, he began his campaign on Saturday in the Nagapattinam district.
Vijay also criticised the absence of a proper road to the bus stand. He reminded the crowd of the 50-year-old demand for a railway line from Kumbakonam to Needamangalam that remains unfulfilled.
Aiming a local minister, Vijay alleged that his only duty was to serve the chief minister’s family instead of the people. “With Stalin, for the people applies only to his family, not to the public,” he said, citing a weekly magazine report.
On farmers’ issues, Vijay made a serious allegation that procurement centres were charging ₹40 commission for every 40-kg bag of paddy — far above the ₹10 fixed by the government — which he said amounted to crores being looted from farmers in the past four years.
“Farmers told me this themselves. And farmers do not lie. Chief minister sir, this has happened under your rule,” he said sarcastically. He mocked DMK’s “40 for 40” slogan, saying that while it may refer to election results, for delta farmers, it meant the commission cut taken from their produce.
Reiterating his promise of honest politics, Vijay said TVK’s manifesto would carry only practical commitments: “No false promises. We will say only what is possible and do only what is real — in education, ration, women’s safety, and basic needs. A Tamil Nadu without poverty, corruption, and dynastic domination. A true democracy with conscience.”
Ending his speech with confidence, Vijay told the crowd: “Victory is certain. Some say these are just crowds, not votes. But tell me — is this just a crowd?”
Earlier in the day, speaking at Nagapattinam, Vijay said, “As always, my greetings as a friend of the fisherfolk. Nagapattinam is home to hardworking people— fishermen and farmers. It is also a model for secular living. Although this district ranks second in Tamil Nadu for fish exports, there is still no modern fish processing factory here.”
Referring to his speech in Madurai about the attacks on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, he said, “What is wrong in raising my voice for fishermen? It is our duty. This is not new for me. As far back as 2011, I had led a protest in this very district for the rights of fishermen.”
“It is our duty to speak up for Eelam Tamils as well. Their dreams and lives matter greatly to us. After seeing the hardships faced by our fishermen, I will not simply write a letter and remain silent like the deceptive DMK government. Nor will I differentiate between Indian fishermen and Tamil Nadu fishermen the way the fascist BJP does,” he added.
Vijay said no government has established any proper marine college, modern industries, or fish-related factories for the region. “But when they go abroad, they boast about investments worth thousands of crores. So I ask the chief minister — are these foreign investments for Tamil Nadu or your own foreign investments? Is it about the state’s growth or your family’s growth?” he questioned.
Pointing out that there were basic infrastructure problems in various parts of the district, Vijay highlighted the issues faced by people in the region. He also explained that his campaign was scheduled on weekends so that people going to work during weekdays would not face any inconvenience.
“Wherever I go for campaigning, the power supply gets cut. Let me ask the chief minister honestly — if an RSS leader comes here, or if Modi Ji or Amit Shah comes here, will you impose such restrictions? Will you cut the power supply? You cannot. The truth is, you are already in a hidden alliance,” he claimed.
“I ask directly: Mr Chief Minister, are you trying to threaten me? If so, I am not a person who will bow down to threats. If you can achieve this much by keeping your policies aside and only working for your family, imagine how much I can achieve by working sincerely for the people,” Vijay challenged.
Reiterating his stand, he declared, “This election is only a contest between two parties — the DMK and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.”
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
