TVK Madurai conference HIGHLIGHTS | Vijay slams BJP, PM Modi, DMK and 'Stalin uncle in speech; promises people-centric politics
Asserting that the 2026 Assembly election would be a straight fight between the DMK and the TVK, Vijay called on his party cadre to ensure the ruling party’s defeat.
Visual from the TVK's second state-level conference in Madurai
CHENNAI: Actor-politician Vijay went all guns blazing at the TVK’s second state-level conference, targeting the ruling DMK government and Chief Minister MK Stalin, accusing them of misgovernance, corruption, and false poll promises. Asserting that the 2026 Assembly election would be a straight fight between the DMK and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), he called on his party cadre to ensure the ruling party’s defeat.
Taking aim at the BJP in his 35-minute-long speech, the TVK chief reiterated that the saffron party was the TVK’s ideological enemy (and the DMK its political enemy). “The Centre's plans will not bear fruit in this secular land. The BJP cannot win in this state with any alliance.”
Earlier, Vijay sprinted along the 500-metre-long ramp extending from the stage in his trademark style, greeting supporters who presented him with scarves in the party colours, even as a special anthem played in the background.
Meanwhile, as per TV reports, an attendee reportedly died, while at least 200 people fainted due to the heat at the event venue. On Wednesday, a giant flagpole on which Vijay was scheduled to hoist the TVK flag collapsed atop a car, crushing it. A supporter in Virudhunagar district was electrocuted to death while erecting a cutout ahead of the conference.
In light of the lakhs of supporters and volunteers present at the expansive 500-acre ground in Parapathi in Madurai district, over 3,000 police personnel were deployed to manage the crowd alongside drones with medical kits.
Live Updates
- 21 Aug 2025 5:35 PM IST
“Every vote for TVK is a vote for me,” says Vijay
TVK president Vijay told the gathering that he had a “surprise announcement” to make. He first declared that he would contest from the Madurai East Assembly constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu polls, before pausing and naming nine more constituencies in Madurai district.
He later clarified that his message was symbolic, emphasising that wherever TVK candidates contest across Tamil Nadu, it should be seen as if he himself were contesting, and that every vote cast for the party would be a vote for him.
- 21 Aug 2025 5:29 PM IST
"Answer us, Stalin uncle", says Vijay as he attacks the DMK government of misgovernance, corruption and false poll promises. Points out the increasing lack of safety for women, Parandur airport protests and the farmer crisis in the state.
- 21 Aug 2025 5:28 PM IST
"Stalin uncle” Jibe: Vijay accuses DMK of betraying public
TVK president Vijay launched a strong attack on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, alleging that the DMK government had misled women, government staff, and various sections of the public with unfulfilled election promises. He called on his party cadre to ensure the DMK’s defeat in the 2026 Assembly polls.
Taking a direct jibe, he said, “Stalin uncle, what uncle, it’s very wrong, uncle.”
- 21 Aug 2025 5:22 PM IST
"The central government is trying to hide the Keezhadi findings and neglect the people of Tamil Nadu. The centre's plans will not bear fruit in this secular land. BJP cannot win in this state with any alliance." Vijay criticises AIADMK and accuses them of faltering from the ideals of party founder MGR.
- 21 Aug 2025 5:16 PM IST
Vijay addresses PM Modi
"I ask you this as a representative of the people. Did you come into power for the third time to work for the people, or to work against the Muslim minorities in the country?" he says. Demands a ban on NEET and the safety of fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan navy.
- 21 Aug 2025 5:15 PM IST
Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led central government, Vijay accused them of showing no concern for Tamil Nadu’s fishermen and the problems faced by the people of the state.
- 21 Aug 2025 5:14 PM IST
TVK president Vijay outlined the party’s priorities and took sharp aim at both national and state rivals.
He said the safety of women, girl children, and the elderly would be TVK’s foremost priority. Declaring BJP as the party’s “ideological enemy” and DMK as its “political enemy,” Vijay asserted that the 2026 Assembly election would be a straight fight between DMK and TVK.
- 21 Aug 2025 5:10 PM IST
Vijay recalls bond with Vijayakanth
“The people of Madurai are deeply emotional. In both cinema and politics, our favourite leader has been MGR. I never had the opportunity to spend time with him, but I had plenty of opportunities to be with my brother Vijayakanth, who shared the same qualities. He too belonged to this very soil of Madurai.”
He went on to add: “This is a voice that no one can silence. This crowd is not just for votes; it will turn into a hunt for power. Shall we show that we can capture power?”
- 21 Aug 2025 5:05 PM IST
Vijay reiterates what he announced in the last state-level conference: "Our only political enemy is always the DMK, our ideological enemy is always the BJP."
- 21 Aug 2025 5:05 PM IST
“There are many jackals, but only one Lion”: Vijay begins speech at Conference
Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay began his address at the party’s State conference in Madurai by comparing the lion, the king of the jungle, to his cadres. Greeting his supporters as “lion cubs,” he said, “A lion knows how to stand alone and how to lead a pride. There are many jackals and other animals, but only one lion.”
