Tamil Nadu election 2026: With limited campaigning by Vijay, TVK faces a litmus test in debut poll

The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign concluded with the spotlight on C. Joseph Vijay, founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a new entrant to the state's political landscape. Vijay, known for his popularity in Kollywood, drew large crowds to his roadshows despite a tragic stampede at one of his rallies last year that claimed 41 lives. The party faced challenges in managing overwhelming crowds and Vijay limited his public engagement during the campaign, focusing on criticizing the DMK and its leader, M.K. Stalin. Despite these efforts, it remains to be seen if the TVK's strategies will translate into electoral success.