Published Jan 25, 2026 | 5:44 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 25, 2026 | 5:44 PM
Vijay said voters who alternated between AIADMK and DMK had now placed their trust in TVK, seeking political change. Credit: x.com/TVKPartyHQ
Synopsis: Actor-politician Vijay, president of TVK, addressed party cadres in Mahabalipuram, rejecting allegations of political pressure and vowing clean governance. He accused AIADMK and DMK of subservience to BJP, pledged unity, and promised victory in 2026 polls. Meanwhile, Vijay cooperated with CBI questioning over the Karur rally stampede case, providing information during a five-hour session.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay on Sunday addressed the party’s state and district level functionaries at a consultative meeting held in Mahabalipuram.
Rejecting allegations that he could be influenced by political pressure, Vijay asked, “Am I someone who will bow to pressure?” He asserted that no one could force him to compromise, but added that the only pressure he acknowledged was from the people of Tamil Nadu.
In a veiled attack on AIADMK, Vijay said that previous ruling parties in Tamil Nadu had become “subservient to BJP.” He also accused the ruling DMK of having surrendered to BJP, “one step further” than AIADMK, while issuing colourful and attractive announcements to conceal this reality.
Vijay said voters who alternated between AIADMK and DMK had now placed their trust in TVK, seeking political change. “We must remain worthy of the faith of those who trust us,” he said.
Promising clean governance, Vijay declared that he would not indulge in corruption either after entering politics or after coming to power. “I will not touch even a single paisa. I have no need to do so,” he said, adding that he would neither submit to pressure nor remain subservient to any force.
Appealing for unity, Vijay urged party cadres to work together to ensure victory. Referring to CN Annadurai (Anna), he said that parties founded by or named after Anna had forgotten his ideals. “We should not forget Anna or his principles. We must implement them,” he said.
On booth-level work, Vijay remarked that for ruling parties, booths had become places for electoral malpractice, whereas for TVK, they should function as centres of democracy. “We must ensure that democracy is not stolen at the booths,” he said.
He further stated that TVK would win the 2026 Assembly elections whether or not it had alliance partners. At the end of his speech, Vijay made party members stand up and take a pledge to work with sincerity, unity and commitment towards victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
The second round of questioning of Vijay by the CBI in connection with the investigation into the stampede in the Karur district of Tamil Nadu in September last year during his political rally, concluded on Monday, 19 January.
The questioning lasted for around five and a half hours, including a lunch break. According to the information, Vijay cooperated with the investigation and provided all the information sought by the agency.
CBI took over the case following a Supreme Court directive.
The case was originally registered based on a complaint filed by Karur Town Inspector Manivannan against TVK general secretary Bussy Anand, joint secretary Nirmal Kumar, western district secretary Mathiyazhagan and others.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government, on 2 December, filed its counter-affidavit before the Supreme Court to cancel the CBI investigation into the case and to hand over the probe back to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted earlier by the Madras High Court.
The government also sought the lifting of the stay imposed on the inquiry being conducted by the one-man commission headed by Justice (retd.) Aruna Jagadeesan, so that the commission’s investigation into the Karur incident can be resumed.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
