Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 | Vijay to contest from Perambur and Tiruchi (east)

Chennai: Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam chief C Joseph Vijay will make his electoral debut from Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchirapalli (East) in central Tamil Nadu, in a move that the two-year-old fledgling party believes will help create riffle effect for its candidates.

Seeking “one chance” for the TVK to redeem Tamil Nadu from the “corrupt and inept” DMK, Vijay made a slew of promises to youngsters, considered his biggest support group, and asked them to vote for Whistle symbol on April 23.

Vijay also announced candidates for all 234 assembly constituencies by giving opportunities to his district secretaries, office bearers, and turn coats from other established parties like the AIADMK, and Congress.

Apart from Vijay, the top-tier leadership of the TVK has also chosen to contest from city seats with Aadhav Arjuna, son-in-law of lottery baron Santiago Matrin, fielded from Villivakkam, N Anand, long-time aide of Vijay, from T Nagar, Maria Wilson from R K Nagar, A Rajmohan from Egmore.

Former IRS officer C G Arunraj will contest from Tiruchengode in Namakkal district, while K A Sengottaiyan and C T R Nirmal Kumar, who jumped the ship from AIADMK, are candidates from Gobichettipalayam, and Thiruparankundram.

In his “guarantees” to youngsters, Vijay promised a drug free Tamil Nadu, collateral-free loans up to Rs 20 lakh for students to pursue higher education, passage of an act to ensure transparency in recruitment, assistance of Rs 4,000 per month to youngsters who are jobless until 29 years of age, and Rs 25 lakh collateral free-loans for youngsters. He also promised 75 per cent of jobs for Tamils in private sector.

Vijay contesting from Perambur is significant since the seat is a DMK bastion with the ruling party winning the constituency in nine of the 16 assembly elections. He has also brought the electoral battle into the heart of Chennai, a traditional fortress which was shaken-off by the AIADMK only after decades of hard work only to lose it back after J Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016.

“This is a bipolar fight between Stalin sir and Vijay. There is no four-cornered fight as they want people to believe. The fight is only between TVK and DMK,” Vijay said, before releasing the candidates list.

Tiruchi (east), the second seat he is contesting from, is considered to be a safe constituency for him as minorities, especially Christians, hold key to victory there. It is because of the significant Christian population that Vijay has chosen the seat along with Perambur, where he will face the DMK in its stronghold.

Apart from being a “safe seat”, Tiruchi (east) also works strategically for the TVK as the city is located in central Tamil Nadu.