Vijay launches election campaign in Trichy, says TVK will make only practical and implementable promises

TRICHY: Wondering how many of the ruling DMK’s 2021 election promises were fulfilled, actor-turned-politician Vijay on Saturday said his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam would make practical and implementable promises during the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.Addressing a gathering at Marakkadai in Trichy city, the TVK president said, "DMK gave 505 poll promises in the 2021 assembly election. How many have they fulfilled? What happened to the promises like reducing the diesel price by Rs 3, monthly electricity bill cycle, waiver of education loans for students, 40% reservation for women in govt jobs and filling two lakh vacancies in the govt? We can keep on asking but DMK will not answer.

" Vijay said women availing the free bus travel scheme were taunted with inappropriate remarks. He alleged that not all women get the monthly financial dole of Rs 1,000. "We will not compromise on women safety and law and order issues. Basic needs of the people in education, electricity, and health will be facilitated by us," Vijay said as he commenced his maiden election campaign ‘Unga Vijay Naa Varen’ (Your Vijay, I am Coming).

Unofficial RoadshowVijay landed at Trichy international airport on a chartered flight around 9.30 am. Soon after he came out, a section of TVK functionaries and fans defying barricades barged into the airport to get a glimpse of the actor. A few women fainted at the airport due to dehydration. Amid the chaos, a special campaign vehicle painted in TVK's official flag colours ferried the actor towards Marakkadai, the venue where police permitted the TVK leader to launch his state-wide election campaign ahead of the 2026 assembly election in the state. Thousands of TVK cadres and Vijay's fans gathered on the airport road, stalling the movement of the campaign vehicle. Though a road show was not permitted, with fans gathering around the campaign vehicle and greeting the TVK president, the journey to the campaign venue became an unofficial roadshow, much to the inconvenience of the public. After a five hours journey to cover the 9km which could be normally reached in about 20 minutes, Vijay arrived at the campaign venue only by 3pm. As per police instruction, he was supposed to commence his campaign by 10.35am and end by 11.05am.