Vijay Joins Opposition Protest, but TVK Keeps Its Political Calculations in Focus

Vijay Keeps TVK’s Opposition Role Limited, Avoids Direct Attack on BJP at Chennai Protest

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s political caution was on display on Thursday as his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), made a limited appearance at an Opposition protest in Chennai against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Although TVK recently joined the Congress-led INDIA bloc, its modest participation suggested that Vijay remains reluctant to take an openly confrontational position against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

The party deputed School Education Minister A Rajmohan to the demonstration, but no other TVK leaders or cadres joined him. The party’s flags were also missing from the venue, setting its presence apart from that of other Opposition parties.

Rajmohan strongly criticised the electoral revision exercise, defended voters’ rights and invoked B R Ambedkar’s ideas on democracy. Yet he did not mention the BJP by name, reinforcing the impression that TVK was seeking to support the Opposition’s campaign without directly challenging the ruling party at the Centre.

People familiar with the political discussions said Vijay’s cautious approach was shaped partly by the vulnerabilities of his minority government and partly by allegations that TVK had attempted to attract legislators from the AIADMK, a partner in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. The allegations of political inducements have not been independently established.

Leaders within the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu viewed these factors as important considerations behind TVK’s restrained participation. They did not identify the ongoing CBI proceedings linked to the Karur stampede, allegations involving TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna or Enforcement Directorate investigations as the principal reasons for Thursday’s limited presence.

TVK voices support for SIR opposition

The demonstration was held at Ramada Circle on Langs Garden Road in Egmore and brought together Congress leaders and representatives of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) and Indian Union Muslim League.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore led the protest as part of the Opposition’s campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.

It was TVK’s first participation in such a demonstration since it joined the INDIA bloc on October 3. However, the party’s limited representation raised questions about how far Vijay intends to go in aligning TVK with the bloc’s street protests.

Rajmohan greeted senior leaders, including Vaiko and Thol Thirumavalavan, and thanked Vijay for allowing him to share a platform with experienced political figures.

He said TVK had opposed the SIR exercise even before forming the government in Tamil Nadu, pointing to its earlier objections when the process was undertaken in Bihar.

“We are not accustomed to speaking one way when we are in the Opposition and another way when we are in government,” he said.

The minister claimed that the initial phase of the exercise had resulted in the deletion of 97 lakh voters, raising concerns within TVK. He said the party had publicly opposed the process and approached the Supreme Court, engaging senior lawyers to challenge it.

Rajmohan alleged that women, young voters below 30, members of marginalised communities, economically disadvantaged citizens and first-time voters were among those particularly affected. He suggested that retaining these voters could have helped TVK achieve a larger electoral majority, but did not provide constituency-level evidence during his speech to establish the claimed impact.

Invoking Ambedkar’s description of democracy as a form of associated living, Rajmohan argued that voting rights were fundamental to citizens’ dignity and participation in public life.

He urged Opposition leaders to guide TVK and pledged that the party would continue to defend democratic rights. Referring to Congress and TVK as partners in a common struggle, he likened their political cooperation with Tagore to a double-barrelled gun.

The minister also praised the presence of several parties at the protest, saying their unity in defending citizens’ rights should be sustained.

Political calculations behind Vijay’s restraint

TVK’s limited participation comes amid a changing political landscape in Tamil Nadu. The DMK announced its departure from the INDIA bloc on October 12, accusing Congress leaders of betrayal and repeatedly targeting the Dravidian party.

Vijay’s recent engagements have also highlighted his attempt to maintain working relationships across political lines. On October 3, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited him at his Neelankarai residence for lunch following last-minute uncertainty surrounding the meeting.

The next day, Vijay received Prime Minister Modi in Chennai, accompanied him during the inauguration of a Metro stretch and a temple visit, and shared the stage with him at an official government programme.

The encounters placed Vijay alongside leading figures from rival national political camps within a short period. His party’s approach to Thursday’s protest, however, suggested that joining the INDIA bloc has not automatically translated into an aggressive campaign against the BJP.

For a government with a limited legislative base, maintaining political flexibility may be an important consideration. The allegations surrounding possible approaches to AIADMK legislators have added another sensitive dimension, given the party’s alliance with the BJP at the national level.

Rajmohan ended his address by reaffirming TVK’s opposition to the SIR exercise and repeating Vijay’s familiar message to supporters: “Be confident. Good things will happen. Victory is certain.”

The minister’s words conveyed support for the Opposition’s campaign, but TVK’s small delegation and its silence on the BJP underscored the limits of that solidarity.

The party has now formally joined the INDIA bloc and appeared at its campaign in Tamil Nadu. Whether Vijay will move beyond symbolic participation and take a more direct stand against the BJP-led government remains an open question.