Last year, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam conducted its inaugural state conference in Vikravandi, Villupuram district, which served as the launchpad for the aspiring chief minister’s political career.
TVK party workers are flocking to Madurai for the conference, which is scheduled to take place this evening. The conference is expected to start at about 4 pm at Parapathi in Madurai district, followed by cultural programmes.
The actor arrived in the city late Wednesday for the event, where he was greeted by fans and party members. The event is being held on a sprawling property along the Madurai–Thoothukudi highway and has drawn thousands of fans, including women and families.
Madurai was chosen for its strong symbolism in Tamil cultural and political movements. The conference aims to project 2026 as a watershed year in Tamil Nadu politics, drawing parallels with 1967 (DMK’s sweep to power) and 1977 (MGR’s AIADMK unseating the ruling party).
Hoardings proclaim Vijay’s ascension to Chief Minister in the upcoming elections, invoking parallels with MGR’s rise. Organisers expect a four-lakh-strong crowd and have made arrangements for drinking water and facilities, learning from the first TVK meeting where many supporters fainted due to dehydration, Deccan Herald reported.
For many of his supporters, the atmosphere resembled a festival more than a party meeting. “I came here just to see the preparations. Tomorrow I’ll be back to hear Vijay speak. We believe he’ll make history in 2026,” said Sumitra, a supporter from Dindigul.
Political observers are paying particular attention to the conference, which takes place barely eight months before the state election. The state conference comes months ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu polls, possibly in April-May.
TVK will compete in the Assembly elections for the first time. Vijay’s move is seen as audacious and high-stakes, with DMK and AIADMK commanding over 75% of the vote bank.
On August 13, the party president unveiled ‘Now TVK’, a unique app for the party’s membership drive. Addressing the launch, Vijay said, “2026 elections would be similar to two big elections that are 1967 & 1977 in Tamil Nadu Politics,” adding that in both polls, “newcomers have won, opposing the power and influence who have been winning elections continuously.”
The actor is currently working on his upcoming film Jana Nayagan, directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions. He was last seen in September 2024’s Greatest Of All Time.
