Vijay Harnesses Gen Z Surge to Become Tamil Nadu’s Jana Nayagan
By NIRENDRA DEV
New Delhi, May 4, 2026 — Chandrasekaran Joseph Vijay has turned Tamil Nadu politics on its head. Leading his newly-launched TVK, Vijay replicated the success of MG Ramachandran in Tamil Nadu, winning the maiden elections in the state. Latest trends put Vijay’s TVK ahead on 107 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, just short of the halfway mark of 118.
The DMK headquarters gave deserted look early in the morning as trends showed the MK Stalin-led outfit struggling at the second spot, and the AIADMK at the thir slot. The latest tally of trends put the TVK leading on 107 seats, with the DMK in the lead on 60 seats and the AIADMK likely to win 47.
The new entrant TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, is set to form the government in Tamil Nadu. Chennai-based observers claimed that Vijay may get support from the smaller outfits which were aligned with the DMK. However, the BJP is hopeful that the TVK will enter into a post-poll alliance with the NDA to give a stable government in Tamil Nadu.
The Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam has emerged as a major disruptor. Grim mood prevailed over at the headquarters of the DMK. The foremost proponent of Dravidian politics at some time was even trailing the AIADMK at the third spot, while making slight gains afterwards.
The party cadres were seen packing up and arrangements for celebrations were being dismantled. The shamiyana put up in the office was taken down and chairs were removed, signalling possible concern within the camp as counting progresses.
Some of the commentators compared Vijay with Balendra Shah of Nepal, who became prime minister of the Himalayan nation after making his fan following as a rapper and a mayor of Kathmandu later. Political observers also noted that Vijay gained the support of Gen Z, who in turn pressured their parents to vote for the popular film star.
The Tamil Nadu verdict has come as a major setback for the Opposition block. The DMK was seeking a third straight mandate.
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