BJP is exerting pressure on Vijay and his party: TVK leader Arunraj

Chennai: Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) on Friday alleged that the party has begun to face “pressure” from the BJP on the issues of the release of Jana Nayagan and the CBI inquiry into the death of 41 people in a stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur. Notwithstanding the pressure, the party reiterated that TVK will never ally with the BJP, which Vijay identified as his “ideological enemy.” 

C G Arunraj, General Secretary (Propaganda and Policy) told reporters in Madurai that Vijay had declared the BJP as his ideological enemy in his first political meeting and has reiterated this on several occasions. 

“It takes great courage to openly declare both the ruling party at the state and the ruling party at the Centre as opponents. In many ways, pressure was exerted by the ruling party at the Union level. But the leader’s stand is very clear and he is clear he won’t ally with communal forces. What more do you need?” he asked.

He was responding to a question on why Vijay was hesitant in attacking the BJP and whether he was afraid of the ruling party at the Centre. 

“Pressure from the BJP has begun. There are CBI inquiries, film-related issues, and you know what is happening. Despite all these pressures, he has clearly stated that there will be no alliance with communal forces. What else do you expect him to say?” Arunraj asked. 

In his election speeches, Vijay has been targeting the DMK and AIADMK while avoiding references to the BJP on many occasions, inviting criticism from other political parties. However, TVK and Vijay maintain that the party’s attacks are directed at the DMK because it is ruling the state and the 2026 elections are for the assembly, not Parliament.

Arunraj’s statement assumes significance as Vijay’s Jana Nayagan is yet to be released due to issues raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The actor was also summoned by the CBI to New Delhi twice in connection with the stampede case.