Chennai | TPO Bureau | Agencies: As Tamil Nadu approaches its 2026 Assembly elections, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is preparing to host its second major political conference in Madurai, in what is being seen as a strategic effort to solidify the party’s grassroots reach in southern districts of the state.
A foundation stone-laying ceremony was held earlier today at Paraippathi, near the Eliyarpathi toll booth on the Madurai–Thoothukudi highway, formally launching preparations for the event. The location spans approximately 70 to 100 acres, underscoring the anticipated scale of the rally.
CM Candidate Declaration and Political Positioning
The announcement follows TVK’s working committee meeting held in Panayur, Chennai, earlier this month. At the meeting, Vijay was officially declared the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2026 elections. He also asserted that TVK would remain equidistant from both the DMK and BJP, effectively indicating that the party would contest independently in what is expected to be a four-cornered electoral battle.
Vijay has been granted full authority to determine future electoral alliances. He is likely to elaborate on TVK’s policy vision and ideological framework during the upcoming Madurai gathering.
Rally Date Yet to Be Finalised
Though the exact date of the event is yet to be announced, party officials suggest it may be scheduled for the last week of August or early September. The swift post-ceremony mobilisation and site preparation indicate that the party is keen to maintain momentum and signal administrative readiness.
General Secretary Bussi Anand and other senior functionaries were present at the bhoomi pooja, while permissions from law enforcement are expected to be sought shortly.
High Stakes for a New Entrant
TVK held its first state-level conference in Villupuram, drawing significant crowds and media attention. The upcoming Madurai event is expected to be even larger, as the party seeks to consolidate its appeal beyond urban centres and establish its electoral footprint in the southern belt.
While political analysts remain divided on TVK’s potential performance, Vijay’s star power and the party’s standalone positioning could draw support from first-time voters and those disenchanted with traditional party structures.
The Madurai conference is expected to mark a turning point in the actor’s transition into full-time politics, with observers closely watching the tone and substance of his forthcoming speech.
