Tamil Nadu politics has taken a dramatic turn after actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay successfully formed the government with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Though Vijay emerged as the biggest political surprise in the state, his path to power has not been entirely independent. To secure the majority needed to form the government, TVK had to rely on outside support from parties that were previously aligned with MK Stalin and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
TVK currently holds 107 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and crossed the majority mark only after receiving support from Congress, Left parties, VCK, and IUML. However, except for Congress, most of these parties still maintain close ties with Stalin and the DMK. This has created a political situation where Vijay’s government technically survives with the indirect blessing of Stalin.
Political observers believe Stalin still has significant influence over the new government because many of the parties supporting Vijay were once part of the DMK alliance. If those parties decide to withdraw support at any point, the TVK government could face instability. This has led to discussions that Stalin may continue to control Tamil Nadu politics from behind the scenes despite no longer being Chief Minister.
Interestingly, Vijay appeared aware of this delicate situation from the beginning. Soon after taking oath as Chief Minister, he visited Stalin at his residence. The move surprised many political analysts and was viewed as a sign of political maturity and strategic thinking. Instead of beginning his tenure with confrontation, Vijay chose diplomacy.
At the same time, Vijay has started making ambitious promises to the public. He assured welfare schemes, women’s safety measures, and corruption-free governance while also attacking the previous DMK government over Tamil Nadu’s debt burden. These promises will now be closely watched by both the public and the opposition.
However, a major twist arrived from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). A faction led by senior leaders SP Velumani and Shanmugam announced support for Vijay’s government after internal tensions reportedly grew within the AIADMK camp. According to the faction, they supported TVK because they did not want AIADMK moving closer to the DMK.
This development may become Vijay’s biggest political backup plan. Reports suggest nearly 30 AIADMK MLAs are leaning towards the anti-EPS faction. If these MLAs continue supporting TVK during crucial assembly votes, Vijay’s government could become much safer and less dependent on Stalin-linked allies.
Still, the situation remains politically sensitive. Vijay entered politics promising a true alternative to both DMK and AIADMK. Depending on support from both sides may damage that image over time. For now, though, Vijay appears focused on survival and stability rather than political purity.
The coming months will decide whether Vijay can transform from a popular film star into a stable and independent political leader. While the numbers currently favor him, Tamil Nadu politics remains unpredictable, and every move from Stalin, AIADMK factions, and TVK allies could shape the future of Vijay’s government.
