TVK reiterates stand on alliances amid AIADMK-BJP overtures after Karur stampede

Despite overtures from both the AIADMK and the BJP to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the aftermath of the Karur stampede, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has reiterated that its stand on alliances remains unchanged — that it will not align with either the DMK or the BJP.

The party resumed its political activities on Wednesday (October 30, 2025) after a month-long lull following the stampede at Karur during a rally addressed by Mr. Vijay on September 27, which claimed 41 lives. The revival of political activity came after Mr. Vijay met several family members of the victims at a private resort in Mamallapuram on October 27.

On October 28, Mr. Vijay constituted a 28-member executive committee, seen as the party’s core team, to coordinate its day-to-day affairs. The committee held its first meeting on Wednesday for nearly two and a half hours at the party headquarters in Panaiyur, where senior leaders discussed various subjects, including the Karur tragedy and the party’s future course of action.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vijay has convened a special meeting of the party’s general council in Mamallapuram on November 5, when he would make his first public appearance and address party members after the Karur tragedy. The meeting is expected to put to rest speculations of alliances that arose during the party’s month-long lull.

‘Stand remains unchanged’

Several AIADMK and BJP leaders had expressed optimism that Mr. Vijay would consider joining their alliance to “save” his fledgling party and take on the DMK in the 2026 Assembly elections. However, the TVK’s second-rung leaders continue to maintain that the party’s stand on alliances remains unchanged.

The DMK has also extended an invitation to the TVK to take part in the all-party meeting on November 2 to protest against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Tamil Nadu. Earlier, the TVK had passed a resolution against the SIR at its executive committee meeting held in July.