Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has officially declared him as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The decision was made during a TVK State Executive Committee meeting held at the party headquarters in Chennai. Vijay emphasized that TVK will not form any alliances, direct or indirect, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), labeling them as ideological enemies. He also criticized both DMK and AIADMK for forming alliances with the BJP for what he described as selfish political gains. TVK's stance is to contest independently and oppose both DMK and BJP in the upcoming polls. Analysts and party representatives have suggested that Vijay's entry into the election could split votes traditionally held by DMK and AIADMK, potentially capturing 10-15% of the vote share. However, some experts debate the impact of his candidacy, with CPI General Secretary D Raja noting uncertainty due to Vijay's recent entry into politics. TVK leaders and supporters have reiterated their commitment to social justice and secular principles, positioning Vijay as an ideological leader distinct from the established Dravidian parties. The party's clear rejection of alliances marks a strategic approach ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.