Celebrations begin at TVK conference venue in Madurai hours before Vijay arrives

Madurai: With several hours remaining before the second state-level conference begins, thousands of cadres and supporters of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) have already converged at the venue near this historic city.

Huge traffic jams were reported at several points along the Madurai-Thoothukudi highway, as thousands of vehicles carried supporters toward the venue.

The conference is being held across an expansive 500-acre area, and over four lakh supporters are expected by Thursday evening to hear Vijay speak.

Supporters have been swarming the venue since Wednesday evening. Many arrived early with their families to observe the arrangements, knowing they would not be able to visit on Thursday due to the anticipated crowd.

Fans of Vijay have come from all across Tamil Nadu, and some have even traveled from places like Dubai and Malaysia, where they work.

Vignesh, who works in the UAE, said he came to Madurai by taking time off from work solely for the TVK conference.

“I have come with my family to show them how spectacular the conference is. I will return in the evening to listen to Vijay. We are hopeful that the change we have been yearning for is on the anvil,” he said.

There was also high drama at the venue, as some supporters became unruly and jumped the barricades. However, no untoward incidents were reported, and ambulances were kept on standby.

With roads jammed, many people could be seen walking several kilometers to reach the venue. “I am coming from Tiruchirapalli, and our vehicle couldn’t move past a certain point after crossing Madurai. We parked five kilometers from the venue and began walking. We think it will take about an hour to reach,” said Srinivasan.

Not just men, but women supporters were also present in significant numbers, as Vijay commands a strong female following.

In his evening speech, Vijay is expected to present his strategy for the 2026 assembly polls and address the alliance question. He has made it clear that he is prepared to ally with any party willing to accept him as the Chief Ministerial candidate.

Choosing Madurai as the venue carries strong symbolism. Once the seat of the Pandya dynasty, the city has long been a crucible of Tamil culture and politics, hosting pivotal conferences and rallies throughout history.

The central theme of the conference is to present 2026 as a watershed year in Tamil Nadu politics, comparable to 1967, when the DMK swept to power, and 1977, when MGR’s newly formed AIADMK unseated the ruling party. Hoardings at the site boldly proclaim that the upcoming elections will see Vijay ascend as Chief Minister, drawing parallels with MGR’s dramatic rise after breaking away from the DMK.

By showcasing images of Anna and MGR, Vijay seeks to emphasize that their legacy does not belong to any single party, but to the people of Tamil Nadu as a whole.