Vijay eyes AIADMK's spot, says it's one-on-one with DMK in '26

POSITIONING himself as the principal political challenger to the DMK and alternative to the AIADMK, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay on Thursday sought to appropriate the legacy of M G Ramachandran, iconic founder of the main opposition party AIADMK, and DMDK leader 'Captain' Vijayakanth.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Madurai

The actor-turned-politician declared that the 2026 Assembly election in Tamil Nadu will be a direct fight between his party and the ruling DMK.

Speaking at the well-attended, second state conference of the party in Madurai, Vijay said that TVK will script a new chapter in TN's political history similar to the maiden victory of the DMK in 1967 and the win a decade later of the AIADMK under MGR in 1977.

"Our ideological enemy is BJP and political foe is the DMK. We don't have any underground dealings as people are with us. So, there's no need to forge electoral ties. We will give a fair share in governance and authority to those who trust and come along with us," he said.

Attacking Chief Minister M K Stalin on the issue of governance and lack of protection to women and girl children, Vijay lampooned Stalin for claiming that people called him "Appa" (father).

Calling the CM as 'uncle' instead, he criticised the DMK of allegedly having a tacit understanding with the BJP while pretending to oppose it.

"Is it sufficient if you give ₹1,000 to women? And you are saying people are calling you Appa (father). Chief Minister M K Stalin goes to Delhi and holds a secret meeting. Stalin uncle, what uncle, it is very wrong uncle," the actor quipped.