Tamil Nadu: Joseph Vijay unveils Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam Party flag, sets sights on 2026 state Assembly elections

CHENNAI: Renowned film actor Joseph Vijay, who recently forayed into politics, today took a major step by unveiling the official flag of his political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). The move marks a significant milestone as Vijay and his party gear up for the upcoming Tamil Nadu state elections, scheduled for 2026.

The flag unveiling ceremony took place at the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur, where Vijay also released the party’s official anthem. Composed by popular music director Thaman and written by lyricist Vivek, the song features vibrant and lively music that reflects the energetic spirit of the party.

The recently launched flag, which has a symbolic meaning, is a two-tone design with shades of maroon and yellow. It prominently features elephants on either side and a peacock surrounded by stars in the centre. The Vaagai flower, an emblem of victory in ancient Tamil kingdoms, also takes centre stage on the flag, signifying the party’s commitment to success.

Joseph Vijay, who had announced the formation of TVK earlier in February, had expressed his intention to contest the 2026 Assembly elections. During the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, TVK opted to remain independent and not join any political bloc. While the party did not officially support any coalition, there were reports that some TVK cadres voted in favour of the DMK alliance.

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Addressing party members and media at the unveiling of the flag, Vijay expressed his pride and excitement. “I know you are all eagerly waiting for our first state conference. Preparations are in full swing and I will announce the details soon. Today, I am proud to unveil our party flag. We will work together for the development of Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Vijay also stressed his commitment to the principles of unity, secularism and social justice. “We will always honour those who fought and sacrificed for the freedom of our country and the rights of our people from Tamil soil. I believe in the Constitution and sovereignty of India and will act as a responsible citizen who upholds unity, brotherhood, religious harmony and equality for all,” he affirmed.

He further pledged to eliminate discrimination based on caste, religion, gender and place of birth, and strive for equal opportunities and rights for all. “I solemnly affirm that I will uphold the principle of equality for all living beings,” Vijay said, outlining his vision for a just and equitable society under the leadership of TVK.

Vijay, better known as “Thalapathy”, has set the stage for a full-blown dive into politics after completing his 69th film, GOAT (Greatest of All Time). The film is expected to wrap up in February 2025, after which Vijay will devote himself entirely to the growth and development of his political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). Vijay has also stated that he will not support any political party in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and will instead focus on building the grassroots infrastructure of TVK in the next two years.

Vijay’s foray into politics has led to widespread debate and speculation in the Tamil Nadu political landscape. Critics question his prospects, pointing out that while Tamil cinema has produced political giants like M G Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa, other Kollywood stars have struggled to translate their star power into political success. Sceptics argue that Vijay’s political journey may face similar challenges, especially in attracting seasoned political talent from established parties like AIADMK.

However, Vijay’s entry into politics has not gone unnoticed by the state’s leading political players. Parties like DMK, AIADMK and NTK are reportedly worried about the potential impact TVK could have on the youth vote, a demographic that traditionally skews towards NTK and BJP. Some analysts suggest that TVK could capture around 3 per cent of the youth vote, potentially pulling support away from BJP and other parties. This could lead to a split in the anti-BJP vote, which could have implications for NTK, DMK, Congress and even BJP itself.

Critics also note that Vijay’s political image has been carefully crafted. When he announced the formation of TVK, Vijay initially included his full name, Joseph Vijay, on the party’s letterhead, but later removed “Joseph” to appeal to a broader Tamil Hindu electorate while maintaining a secular image. The party’s flag, unveiled today, has drawn comparisons to the flags of Spain, Sri Lanka and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), leading some to dismiss the party as unoriginal. Furthermore, TVK’s name, with the suffix “Kazhagam”, aligns the party with other well-known Dravidian parties, raising questions about how different or innovative the party really is.