Actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party—the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)—have been under scrutiny since the September 27 Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives. Of late, the tragedy also sparked speculation of a possible alliance between TVK and the AIADMK, though both sides have denied formal talks. Such an understanding, if it materialises, may disrupt the AIADMK’s existing equation with the BJP given that the TVK describes the BJP as its “ideological enemy.”
Adding fuel to alliance buzz is a cartoon shared by the DMK’s IT wing on X depicted AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Vijay carrying Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a palanquin. Captioned “IYKYK” (“if you know, you know”), the image mocked them as “slaves” of the BJP, echoing a line from an MGR film. The TVK hit back, calling the allegation baseless and reminding that the DMK itself had once allied with the BJP.
While the ruling DMK has blamed the TVK for the Karur incident, both the AIADMK and BJP have defended Vijay, accusing the ruling party of administrative lapses — inadequate police arrangements and failure to allocate a suitable venue for the rally.
The DMK’s dig came soon after the Supreme Court allowed a CBI probe into the Karur stampede, as requested by the TVK, and appointed a three-member committee led by former Justice Ajay Rastogi to oversee the investigation. The move triggered unease among DMK allies, with Congress and the VCK cautioning Vijay that the BJP could exploit the probe to influence him politically.
Reports suggest that Palaniswami recently spoke to Vijay to offer condolences after the tragedy and used the opportunity to propose a possible alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, aimed at “removing the DMK from power.” Sources indicated that Vijay sought time and said he would take a call after Pongal 2026. Adding to the speculation were TVK flags at AIADMK rallies, though the TVK has maintained that there are no formal talks.
Analysts believe that if the DMK continues to target Vijay, a political understanding between TVK and AIADMK could become more likely, potentially denting the ruling party’s electoral prospects. Since launching his party, Vijay has attacked the DMK’s governance but avoided direct confrontation with the AIADMK. His calibrated criticism of the BJP as an ideological foe while maintaining cordiality with the AIADMK suggests he is keeping options open
