Sunday, April 12, 2026
26.1 C
New Delhi

Tamil Nadu polls: Vijay rejects ‘four-cornered’ contest, says fight is between TVK and DMK

Tamil Nadu polls: Vijay rejects ‘four-cornered’ contest, says fight is between TVK and DMK

TVK chief Vijay on Sunday dismissed claims of a four-cornered contest in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, asserting that the real battle is between his party and the ruling DMK, while outlining a governance model centred on technology and service delivery, PTI reported.Addressing a rally, Vijay said, “It is not 4-cornered or 40-cornered fight. There are only two sides here: One is TVK, the other is DMK. Do you want an anti-people Stalin government, or Vijay, who loves people? That’s all this election is.”The actor-politician also undertook a bicycle ride at the venue as part of his outreach campaign. A similar exercise earlier in Karaikudi had turned chaotic, but arrangements in Kanyakumari ensured better crowd management.Vijay unveiled a “21st-century good governance” vision, proposing India’s first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, along with plans for an AI City and a dedicated AI University, stating the sector could contribute USD 1.7 trillion to India by 2035.He also proposed a “Tamil Nadu Citizen Privilege Card” to ensure doorstep delivery of welfare benefits without intermediaries. “This isn’t a story like the ones told by Stalin sir; this is scientifically possible. Currently, the system is not ‘good governance,’ it is ‘harassment’. Bribes don’t just stop at the officer; a share goes to the minister. We will break this chain,” he said.The TVK chief said a “Right to Service Act” would be enacted within six months of assuming office and announced a “Vettri Tamil Nadu” Super App to digitise public services such as ration cards and driving licences.On the state’s finances, Vijay alleged that Tamil Nadu’s debt had crossed Rs 10.5 lakh crore, claiming that borrowings in the last five years exceeded those of the previous decades. “Every rupee spent on interest is a rupee stolen from your child’s education and your family’s healthcare,” he said.He also proposed a “People’s Forum” to enable digital participation, where petitions with 5 lakh verified signatures would mandate discussion in the state assembly.Urging voters to back his party, Vijay called for a “Whistle Revolution,” referring to the party’s symbol. “I have come for you, bearing all the pain, and I will never cheat you with lies. Give your brother one chance,” he said.The campaign has, however, seen disruptions, with criticism over cancelled meetings and confusion regarding schedules. Vijay had cancelled a scheduled speech in Karaikudi on April 11, disappointing supporters.Later, TVK general secretary N Anand clarified that the Kanyakumari rally would proceed and urged supporters not to follow Vijay’s convoy to avoid overcrowding and accidents. He also advised vulnerable groups to participate virtually.Vijay is scheduled to address a rally in Aranthangi in Pudukkottai on April 14, though the event is yet to be confirmed. Elections to the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly will be held on April 23.

Go to Source

Hot this week

Sindarov on verge of confirming Gukesh showdown as Vaishali’s Round 12 loss leaves Women’s Candidates wide open

Javokhir Sindarov continues to lead by two points in the ‘Open’ category of the 2026 Fide Candidates in Cyprus after his draw in Round 12. Read More

With 10.9% net voter deletions, Bengal 5th among 12 states, UTs

NEW DELHI: West Bengal, which has seen the most noise against SIR, ranked fifth in terms of net deletions (10. Read More

US will ‘probably’ need to use special forces to get Iran’s uranium, says Nikki Haley

Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said that the United States will “probably” have to deploy special forces to secure Iran’s uranium stockpile. Read More

‘Not well received’: Trump says he once considered renaming Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of Trump’

Trump has said he once considered renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of Trump” but later dropped the idea, acknowledging it would likely not have been well received. Read More

Amarnath yatra from July 3 to August 28, registration begins on April 15

JAMMU: The annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath will start on July 3 and continue for 57 days, concluding on Raksha Bandhan on Aug 28.“Pilgrims between the ages of 13 and 70 can undertake the yatra. Read More

Topics

Sindarov on verge of confirming Gukesh showdown as Vaishali’s Round 12 loss leaves Women’s Candidates wide open

Javokhir Sindarov continues to lead by two points in the ‘Open’ category of the 2026 Fide Candidates in Cyprus after his draw in Round 12. Read More

With 10.9% net voter deletions, Bengal 5th among 12 states, UTs

NEW DELHI: West Bengal, which has seen the most noise against SIR, ranked fifth in terms of net deletions (10. Read More

US will ‘probably’ need to use special forces to get Iran’s uranium, says Nikki Haley

Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said that the United States will “probably” have to deploy special forces to secure Iran’s uranium stockpile. Read More

‘Not well received’: Trump says he once considered renaming Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of Trump’

Trump has said he once considered renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of Trump” but later dropped the idea, acknowledging it would likely not have been well received. Read More

Amarnath yatra from July 3 to August 28, registration begins on April 15

JAMMU: The annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath will start on July 3 and continue for 57 days, concluding on Raksha Bandhan on Aug 28.“Pilgrims between the ages of 13 and 70 can undertake the yatra. Read More

J&K: 3 Kashmir varsities end MOUs with US NGO after ‘security concerns’

SRINAGAR: Three universities in Kashmir have terminated academic agreements with a US-based NGO, Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF), following internal reviews amid a buzz that intelligence agencies had flagged concerns over its activities Read More

We’ve been doing catch-up rather than leading the game: MI skipper Hardik Pandya

Mumbai, Apr 12 (PTI): Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya admitted his side needs to introspect and build momentum after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru fair and square in an IPL match here on Sunday. Read More

Delhi: Cop stabbed by burglars during raid, both accused held

New Delhi, Apr 12 (PTI): An assistant sub-inspector was injured after two alleged burglars attacked a Delhi Police team with a knife during an early morning raid in west Delhi’s Hari Nagar area on Sunday, an official said. Read More

Related Articles