Actor-politician Vijay has announced that he will contest from two seats in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls for his party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).
The two seats will be Perambur and Trichy East. Vijay will face DMK's sitting MLA RD Shekar, who will contest from Perambur. He is also pitted against the sitting MLA and DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj in Trichy East.
“It will be C Joseph Vijay,” he said at a party rally in the state capital Chennai while announcing his candidature.
Vijay also named TVK candidates for other seats, with all of his core team members finding a place in the list. Elections to 234 Assembly segments in the state will be held on April 23. Counting is scheduled for May 4, while the assembly's current tenure ends on May 10.
Senior party leaders and Vijay's inner team members—N Anand, Adhav Arjuna, R Arunraaj, CTR Nirmal Kumar and KA Sengkottaiyan —were named by the party chief as TVK candidates for seats including T Nagar, Villivakkam, Gobichettipalayam and Thirupparankundram.
Vijay's promises
Reiterating that the electoral fight was between his "people's alliance TVK and Stalin sir alliance," he slammed the ruling DMK-led bloc as a mere "patch-up."
"I have selected as candidates those who would stand with people," he said.
Vijay announced a series of key election promises, stressing his vision for a drug-free and self-reliant Tamil Nadu. He also assured that all government examinations will be conducted on time without delays. Highlighting youth welfare, Vijay announced a monthly assistance of ₹4,000 for graduates and ₹2,000 for diploma holders.
TVK chief emphasised that his party's candidates are unlike other parties' MLAs. According to him, they understand the struggle of the common man, the voice of the people, and protectors of the Assembly.
"Today is an important day, a day where we introduce the true protectors of the people (Candidates). Our candidates come from ordinary backgrounds. They are not people with great wealth or power. They are people who understand the struggles of the common man. Not like other MLAs who are corrupt. An MLA should not rely merely on experience. What matters is integrity, responsibility, and commitment to the people. An MLA is not just a representative; they are the protectors of the Assembly and the voice of the people. I have personally selected each candidate after careful consideration," he said.
In a veiled attack on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, he said, "The alliance we speak about (DMK) is not a strong or natural alliance. Such alliances may not last, especially when the outcome is already known."
