A new brand of politics in Tamil Nadu

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay speaks after the oath-taking ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. | Photo credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

IThe Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, seems to have created a political upheaval in Tamil Nadu after the 2026 assembly elections. In many ways, Mr. Vijay proved that a chief ministerial candidate need not come from a numerically dominant community backed by entrenched political networks to win power in Tamil Nadu. No less significant is the fact that he became the first Christian chief minister to head a coalition government in the history of the state.

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The TVK’s rise to power in Tamil Nadu poses a formidable challenge to the two main Dravida parties, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which have alternated in power in the state for more than half a century. Tamil Nadu politics seems to have devolved into a battle between Mr Vijay’s charisma and mass appeal – carefully cultivated through cinema and popular culture – and the leaders of the two Dravidian majors who continue to invoke and defend Dravidian heritage whenever they perceive a political threat.

Also Read: Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam: a new political dawn in Tamil Nadu

Breaking tradition

Mr. Vijay heads a remarkably young government. Apart from senior figures like KA Sengottaiyan and N. Anand, most of the ministers and MLAs are relatively young and have little or no independent political capital. Moreover, the traditional white dhoti decorated with party colors on its edge no longer defines TVK’s political culture. The chief minister is often seen in sharply cut formal suits, while many of his MLAs appear in white shirts and black trousers, projecting an image of a new political generation eager to break with convention. In several constituencies, voters barely know the names of their MLAs; instead, it was the party’s “whistle” symbol, Mr. Vijay’s charisma and voters’ desire for political change that shaped the election verdict.

The composition of the cabinet also marks a significant departure from previous regimes. It includes eight ministers from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, among them Vanni Arasu of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and P. Viswanathan of the Congress. There are also four women in charge of major portfolios in the ministry. Traditionally, departments such as Industries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development were considered male strongholds. However, under the TVK government, these influential portfolios are held by women ministers, signaling a conscious attempt to redefine the contours of political representation in Tamil Nadu.

The manner in which Mr. Vijay managed to garner support for his government despite securing just 108 seats also bears the stamp of a shrewd political strategist. After the Congress volunteered its support, he approached the leaders of the two Communist parties, the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League. He personally got involved in their leadership, offered berths to the cabinet and got a section of AIADMK legislators to vote for his government during the trust vote in the assembly.

Also Read: Tamil Vettri Kazhagam | A star who broke into politics

All is fair in politics

Meanwhile, TVK seems to be steadily moving towards securing its own legislative majority. Mr. Vijay and his lieutenants seem to have embraced the principle that expediency often matters more than ideology or principle in politics. Taking advantage of the growing dissent in the AIADMK, the TVK successfully roped in dissident legislators. So far, four AIADMK MLAs have resigned from their seats and joined the TVK. The obvious strategy is to either field them as TVK candidates in subsequent by-elections, or replace them with TVK candidates.

The issue of disqualification of AIADMK MLAs who violated the party whip is now pending before the Speaker. If the Speaker were to proceed with the disqualification proceedings, there could be several vacancies in the Assembly. TVK appears confident that it can win enough seats in subsequent by-elections to secure a clear majority and thus free itself from dependence on outside support.

Although Mr. Vijay is a political novice, he seems to have quickly learned that power often rewards those who seek victory through strategic calculation and relentless maneuvering.

kolappan.b@thehindu.co.in

Published – 27 May 2026 0:32 IST