Tamil Nadu polls 2026: Vijay’s Trichy East plan on hold, TVK starts campaign in Perambur

CHENNAI/TRICHY: TVK president Vijay will take a call on contesting in Trichy East—in addition to Perambur—once DMK’s candidate list is out, said TVK sources.After multiple rounds of internal survey, Vijay has identified Perambur as his first constituency and Trichy East as his second, since the segment has a sizeable minority population.

While an election office is being set up in Perambur, TVK had started preparatory works in Trichy East as well. But momentum has tapered off in the latter segment over the past few days.TVK sources said a final decision would be taken based on how seat-sharing unfolds within the DMK alliance. “AIADMK has given up the fight at Perambur, allotting it to PMK. If DMK too allots it to someone else, then winning becomes easier for Vijay here.

So, the need for contesting in two seats is less,” a senior functionary said. The idea would also be dropped if DMK chooses a strong candidate for Trichy East. In that case, TVK has shortlisted two other contestants—Sahayaraj and Gerold Milton.In Perambur, TVK functionaries are busy holding street-corner meetings and door-to-door outreach.Meanwhile, DMK sources indicated that the party leadership intends to field its own candidate in Perambur.

“A total of 13 aspirants, including sitting MLA R D Sekhar, attended the candidate interview. While there were differing views on who should be fielded, there was unanimity that the seat must remain with the party,” a local DMK leader said. In Trichy East, the party is likely to renominate sitting MLA Inigo Iruthayaraj if Vijay contests.Vijay is expected to release the first list of around 120 candidates at an event in a hotel in Nungambakkam on Friday.

In case of hiccups, the release would be postponed to Sunday, said a TVK leader.Vijay is also set to resume campaigning on Saturday. He is scheduled to hold short meetings at MKB Nagar Bus Depot, Senthil Nagar in Kolathur, ICF signal in Villivakkam, Anna Nagar roundtana, and near Koyambedu bridge in Virugambakkam.Meanwhile, around 100 Congress functionaries led by sacked TNCC general secretary D Selvam joined TVK on Thursday, a day after he was removed from his post.