Vijay signals solo path in 2026 TN polls as TVK hopes for common election symbol
Chennai, Jan 21: With just a few months left for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, actor-turned-politician Vijay finds himself navigating a complex political and legal landscape.
From the ongoing controversy surrounding his film "Jananayagan" to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, Vijay is facing multiple challenges at a critical juncture.
Yet, even amid these pressures, the leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is actively fine-tuning his electoral strategy.
Vijay has repeatedly and categorically stated that his party will not align with either the ruling DMK or the BJP in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
This firm stand has significantly altered the political arithmetic in the state, strengthening the likelihood of a four-cornered contest involving the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP combine, the Naam Tamilar Katchi, and Vijay’s TVK.
Against this backdrop, intense discussions have been taking place among TVK cadres over the past few days on a crucial question: will the party be allotted a common election symbol?
The issue has gained urgency as symbol recognition is considered vital for a relatively new political outfit seeking to consolidate its presence across constituencies.
According to sources familiar with the developments, there is growing optimism within the party that TVK may indeed secure a common symbol.
The application submitted by the party is currently under consideration by the Election Commission of India. Insiders say that TVK has furnished all required details and numerical data in compliance with election rules, strengthening its case despite being an unrecognised party.
Sources further indicate that the Election Commission could take a decision even before the formal announcement of the election schedule, a move that would provide TVK valuable time to build voter recall around its symbol.
Such early clarity is seen as a strategic advantage, particularly for a party contesting independently for the first time in a high-stakes Assembly election.
It is learnt that TVK has submitted a list of ten preferred symbols to the Commission. Among them, symbols such as the auto-rickshaw, cricket bat, and whistle have generated considerable excitement among party workers. Cadres believe that any one of these symbols, if allotted, could resonate strongly with voters and help the party establish a distinct visual identity on the ballot.
As Vijay positions TVK as an alternative to established political blocs, the decision on the election symbol is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the party’s campaign and its prospects in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
From the ongoing controversy surrounding his film "Jananayagan" to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, Vijay is facing multiple challenges at a critical juncture.
Yet, even amid these pressures, the leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is actively fine-tuning his electoral strategy.
Vijay has repeatedly and categorically stated that his party will not align with either the ruling DMK or the BJP in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
This firm stand has significantly altered the political arithmetic in the state, strengthening the likelihood of a four-cornered contest involving the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP combine, the Naam Tamilar Katchi, and Vijay’s TVK.
Against this backdrop, intense discussions have been taking place among TVK cadres over the past few days on a crucial question: will the party be allotted a common election symbol?
The issue has gained urgency as symbol recognition is considered vital for a relatively new political outfit seeking to consolidate its presence across constituencies.
According to sources familiar with the developments, there is growing optimism within the party that TVK may indeed secure a common symbol.
The application submitted by the party is currently under consideration by the Election Commission of India. Insiders say that TVK has furnished all required details and numerical data in compliance with election rules, strengthening its case despite being an unrecognised party.
Sources further indicate that the Election Commission could take a decision even before the formal announcement of the election schedule, a move that would provide TVK valuable time to build voter recall around its symbol.
Such early clarity is seen as a strategic advantage, particularly for a party contesting independently for the first time in a high-stakes Assembly election.
It is learnt that TVK has submitted a list of ten preferred symbols to the Commission. Among them, symbols such as the auto-rickshaw, cricket bat, and whistle have generated considerable excitement among party workers. Cadres believe that any one of these symbols, if allotted, could resonate strongly with voters and help the party establish a distinct visual identity on the ballot.
As Vijay positions TVK as an alternative to established political blocs, the decision on the election symbol is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the party’s campaign and its prospects in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.