Actor-politician Vijay’s absence from multiple rallies raises questions as Tamil Nadu election campaign enters final phase.
April 12, 2026: With just over a week left for the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, political activity has intensified across the state, but the campaign of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has come under scrutiny. Several outreach programmes of party leader Vijay have been abruptly cancelled, sparking questions about strategy and preparedness in the crucial final stretch.
According to party sources, Vijay has been cautious about attending large gatherings following the Karur stampede incident last year. While the party has not issued a detailed explanation, insiders point to safety concerns and logistical hurdles behind the cancellations. Since the poll announcement, Vijay has skipped multiple events, although he addressed rallies in key constituencies like Perambur and Kolathur after filing his nomination. Planned events in areas such as Villivakkam and T Nagar were later called off, with reasons ranging from inadequate security to time constraints.
The reduced visibility has forced TVK candidates to explore alternative campaign methods, including using cut-outs and lookalikes to sustain voter engagement. Rival parties like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have criticised the approach, while leaders such as M. K. Stalin, Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Seeman continue aggressive statewide campaigning. Despite this, Vijay remains a major crowd-puller, and party insiders suggest he may intensify efforts in the final days before polling.