Vijay brands DMK an ‘evil force’, positions TVK as people-centric alternative
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK on Thursday, December 18, 2025, describing it as an “evil force” and projecting his party as a “pure force” committed to people-oriented governance. He said former Chief Ministers MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa used similar descriptions of DMK and reiterated their stand. “The political struggle will only be between these two forces,” he said.
Addressing a campaign rally near the Vijayamangalam toll plaza in Perundurai taluk – his first public address since the Karur stampede on September 27 – Mr. Vijay said his political journey was built on long-standing ties with the public that have developed over three decades. Claiming that a “conspiratorial group” was spreading false harassment to tarnish his image, he said such efforts would fail because his relationship with the people was deep-rooted and enduring. “These bonds are not new; they have a history of more than 30 years,” he added, noting that public support has not changed.
Huge crowd gathers during TVK chief Vijay’s campaign meeting | Photo Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan
Touching on the agricultural heritage of Erode district, Mr. Vijay emphasized the importance of turmeric cultivation and recalled the historical role of the Kalingarayan abrupt cut and canal system in protecting the livelihood of farmers. He criticized successive governments for failing to implement and expand irrigation projects such as the Athikadavu-Avinashi scheme, saying it could benefit hundreds of thousands of acres in many districts.
Accusing the DMK of not fulfilling its election promises, Mr. Vijay listed some of the unfulfilled assurances, including waiver of education loans, abolition of NEET, river linking projects and river cleaning initiatives. He alleged that the concerns of farmers, weavers and small-scale producers were being ignored as river sand mining continued unchecked.
Describing CN Annadurai and MGR as enduring icons and assets of the State, Mr. Vijay said no one could object to invoking them. “Nobody can say ‘Anna is ours, MGR is ours, don’t buy these’,” he said. Claiming that TVK followed an independent political path, he criticized opponents who repeatedly attacked the party and dismissed it as irrelevant. “I have no fear,” he said.
TVK supporters attended Vijay’s campaign meeting on Thursday | Photo Credit: M. Govarthan
Mr. Vijay also alleged that the DMK, despite claiming to follow Periyar’s principles, misused his legacy for corrupt practices. “Those who exploit his name are my real political rivals,” he added.
Regarding the procurement of turmeric, Mr. Vijay alleged that farmers were being deprived of fair prices and corruption had infiltrated the procurement process. He said no serious effort had been made to provide value addition or implement transparent pricing mechanisms.
Recalling that his speech in Kancheepuram was misrepresented, the TVK leader said that he was not against social welfare schemes but objected to misuse of public funds under the guise of administration. “I object to people’s welfare being called ‘free.’ How can spending people’s money on people be considered free?” he asked. He blamed the DMK for its empty promises and expressed concern about education, asking who had closed 207 government schools and under whose rule school dropouts had increased. “And they’re putting on a drama calling it ‘Best State in Education,’” he added.
Reiterating that TVK will clearly contest the 2026 Assembly elections against its political rivals, Vijay said the party will contest only those who are actively involved in the electoral arena and identified DMK as its main rival. Appealing to both State and Union governments to understand his character, he said, “My character is the character of the people. That character will be different in the 2026 Assembly elections. Please understand. If you do not understand, the people will make you understand.”
Inviting former Minister KA Sengottaiyan to the party, Mr. Vijay said his inauguration will strengthen TVK and expressed confidence that more senior leaders will join in the coming days.
crowd management
Police estimated the crowd at between 18,000 and 20,000. No adverse events were reported. Around 1,900 police personnel were deployed both inside and outside the venue for crowd and traffic management. Two cadres were treated at the Government Hospital in Perundurai for complaints of dizziness.
A TVK supporter is taken to hospital by ambulance after losing consciousness at party chief Vijay’s rally in Erode on Thursday | Photo Credit: ANI
Earlier on Thursday, police diverted vehicles of TVK cadres to various points on the Salem-Coimbatore National Highway, directing them to designated parking areas. TVK staff started to gather outside the meeting area at 06:00 and were directed to the venue by the police stationed in the area. By 9 am a large number of staff had arrived. The surrounding bakeries and hotels were crowded, and there was a shortage of water and food outside the venue. TVK vehicles were allowed to pass through Vijayamangalam without paying toll.
As the news spread that Mr. Vijay was approaching Vijayamangalam, thousands of cadres gathered at the box office to welcome their leader. The police had his vehicle move in the third lane to prevent the crowd from approaching. To avoid traffic congestion, all vehicles at the toll booth were allowed to pass free of charge for more than 20 minutes. At exactly 11.14 am, Mr. Vijay passed the Vijayamangalam toll gate waving to the crowd.
TVK chief Vijay waves to supporters after addressing campaign meeting | Photo Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan
After entering the venue, thousands of staff were left outside due to the dense crowd inside. During his speech, many cadres stood in the median despite the police’s request to move. After Mr. Vijay finished his speech around 12.30 pm, thousands of people gathered at the box office again to see him. After the meeting, traffic was stopped for more than 15 minutes as the large crowd left the hall. Police cleared the way for three ambulances that got stuck in the crowd. Traffic returned to normal on the Salem-Coimbatore National Highway after about an hour.
It was published – 18 December 2025 17:16 IST
