Tamil Nadu’s political landscape appears to be undergoing a historic churn, with actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK storming into contention as the single largest party in its debut election. Riding on a mix of star power, a strong grassroots fan network, clear political positioning, and voter fatigue with the entrenched DMK-AIADMK duopoly, the party has tapped into a desire for change across the state. Its campaign blended welfare promises, social justice messaging, and youth outreach, helping convert popularity into votes. As TVK edges closer to power, its rise not only disrupts decades-old political dominance but also signals a broader shift in voter preferences towards new alternatives.
Read moreAs counting progressed for the 234 Tamil Nadu Assembly seats, early trends showed a strong performance by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor-politician Vijay, with the party emerging as a major force across multiple regions.
Read full storyThe stunning electoral debut of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK, now the frontrunner to form the government in Tamil Nadu, has put the spotlight on political “startups” — very few of which have turned into instant “unicorns.”
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) appears to be following in the footsteps of parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), all of which moved to form governments soon after their first electoral outings.
The AAP formed a government with Congress support after its debut election in 2013, while the AGP came to power in 1985 shortly after its formation, backed by successful independent candidates linked to the Assam movement.
The TDP, meanwhile, swept the Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls in 1983, winning 201 seats just a year after it was formed.
However, not many political startups have achieved such rapid success. While some took time to grow, others failed to leave a lasting imprint.
With TVK leading in more than a hundred constituencies in early trends of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party has delivered a strong statewide performance.
It has surged ahead in northern districts such as Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Thiruvallur, making notable inroads across the region, according to trends released by the Election Commission of India on Monday.
The party has also established a solid presence in central Tamil Nadu, including Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, and Mayiladuthurai.
In Madurai city—covering the north, east, west, central, and south segments—TVK has emerged as the dominant force in early trends.
The momentum extends to southern districts as well, with strong showings in Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Tenkasi.
With the TVK poised to emerge as the single largest party in Tamil Nadu, Vijay’s father and filmmaker S A Chandrasekhar on Monday reflected on his son’s journey to becoming a chief ministerial hopeful. Chandrasekhar, who helped launch Vijay’s career as a child artist in the 1980s, said that for the past 30 years the actor had aspired to “do something for Tamil Nadu,” with those efforts now culminating in a striking electoral debut. “I am motivated. As a human, you should not only be an artist, you should have some social thinking. For the last 30 years, he (Vijay) had something in his mind, that he has to do something for Tamil Nadu. Slowly he has developed. Today he is going to be Chief Minister,” Chandrasekhar told ANI.