Vijay Joins Opposition Protest at Last, but Political Constraints Limit TVK’s Show of Solidarity

Vijay’s Cautious INDIA Bloc Role on Display as TVK Keeps BJP Criticism at Bay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s cautious approach towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP was evident in his party’s limited participation in an Opposition protest in Chennai on Thursday. Despite joining the Congress-led INDIA bloc earlier this month, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) kept its presence at the demonstration restrained, reflecting the political sensitivities surrounding its minority government and allegations of attempts to woo AIADMK legislators.

TVK was represented by School Education Minister A Rajmohan at the protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Chief Election Commissioner. No other party leaders or cadres attended, and TVK flags were conspicuously absent from the gathering.

Rajmohan delivered a strong speech defending voting rights, invoked B R Ambedkar and promised that TVK would continue opposing the voter revision exercise. However, he refrained from directly naming or criticising the BJP.

Leaders familiar with the party’s approach said Vijay’s team wanted to demonstrate solidarity with the INDIA bloc without becoming part of the more aggressive confrontation with the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Two factors are believed to have influenced this strategy. TVK’s minority government remains conscious of the political implications of antagonising the BJP, while allegations that the party had attempted to attract AIADMK legislators have added to the sensitivities. The AIADMK is a constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. These allegations have not been independently established.

Some INDIA bloc leaders in Tamil Nadu also pointed to these considerations when explaining TVK’s restrained participation. They did not consider the ongoing CBI proceedings related to the Karur stampede, or allegations involving TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna and Enforcement Directorate investigations, to be the main reasons for the party’s limited presence.

Strong message on voting rights, limited participation

The protest was held at Ramada Circle on Langs Garden Road in Egmore. Participants included Congress leaders and representatives of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) and Indian Union Muslim League.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore led the demonstration as part of the Opposition’s campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.

The event marked TVK’s first participation in such a protest since joining the INDIA bloc on October 3. However, the party’s limited representation highlighted the gap between its formal alliance with the Opposition and its willingness to join its street-level campaign.

Rajmohan greeted senior leaders, including Vaiko and Thol Thirumavalavan, and thanked Vijay for giving him the opportunity to share a platform with experienced political figures.

He criticised the SIR exercise, saying TVK had opposed it even before coming to power in Tamil Nadu and had raised concerns when the process was implemented in Bihar.

“We are not accustomed to speaking one way when we are in the Opposition and another way when we are in government,” he said, defending the party’s position on the issue.

Rajmohan claimed that the deletion of 97 lakh voters during the initial phase of the revision had raised serious concerns within TVK. He said the party had issued public statements and approached the Supreme Court, engaging senior lawyers to challenge the process.

He further alleged that women, voters below 30, marginalised communities, economically disadvantaged people and first-time voters were among those particularly affected. He suggested that the removal of these voters could have influenced TVK’s electoral performance in Tamil Nadu, although he did not provide constituency-level evidence during the speech to substantiate that claim.

Invoking Ambedkar’s conception of democracy as a form of associated living, Rajmohan argued that voting rights were closely linked to citizens’ dignity and democratic participation.

He urged senior Opposition leaders to guide TVK and assured them that the party would continue to support the campaign to protect electoral rights.

“Guide us, Anna. We are waiting to follow your path,” he told the leaders. Describing Congress and TVK as partners in a common struggle, he compared their political partnership with Tagore to a double-barrelled gun.

Rajmohan also praised the unity among parties represented at the demonstration, saying their collective effort to defend citizens’ rights should continue.

Vijay’s political balancing act

The protest took place amid a significant realignment in Tamil Nadu politics. The DMK, previously Congress’s principal ally in the state, announced its exit from the INDIA bloc on October 12, accusing Congress leaders of betrayal and repeatedly targeting the Dravidian party.

On October 3, Rahul Gandhi visited Vijay at his Neelankarai residence for lunch after last-minute uncertainty surrounding the meeting. The following day, Vijay received Prime Minister Modi in Chennai, travelled with him during the inauguration of a Metro stretch, accompanied him to a temple and shared the stage at an official government programme.

The back-to-back engagements placed Vijay alongside prominent leaders from rival national political camps within a short period. Thursday’s demonstration, however, raised a different question: how firmly would the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister align himself with the Opposition when its campaign directly challenged the Centre?

Rajmohan concluded by reiterating TVK’s opposition to the SIR exercise and echoing Vijay’s familiar message to supporters: “Be confident. Good things will happen. Victory is certain.”

His speech emphasised democratic rights and Opposition unity, but the BJP remained unmentioned and TVK’s physical participation was minimal.

For the INDIA bloc, the party’s attendance marked a step towards coordinated opposition to the electoral revision exercise. Yet Vijay’s carefully calibrated approach left open the question of whether TVK would take a more confrontational stand against the BJP-led government as the political campaign intensifies.