Chennai, December 10, 2025

Actor-turned-politician Vijay kicked off his first major campaign event in Puducherry on Tuesday evening, drawing thousands of supporters to the Uppalam Expo Ground despite strict restrictions and heavy security arrangements. The rally marked his party TVK’s first public meeting in the Union Territory since the Karur stampede incident on September 27, after which he had stayed away from large gatherings.

Vijay chose not to target Puducherry chief minister and AINRC leader N. R. Rangasamy, even though the state government had earlier hesitated to grant him permission for any rally. Instead, he focused his criticism on the Bharatiya Janata Party, the coalition partner in the Puducherry government, and on the Union government. According to Vijay, Puducherry has long been ignored by the Centre, which he said has failed to provide statehood, push forward development projects or even improve basic facilities.

He told the crowd that while the Union government treats Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as separate regions, people of both places share deep bonds. He also thanked the Puducherry administration for ensuring full security for his meeting despite political differences. In a light jab at Tamil Nadu’s government, he said it should learn from the “impartial approach” of Puducherry, though he joked that such learning may only happen during the next state elections in 2026.

Throughout his speech, Vijay returned to the theme of neglect. He accused the BJP of not safeguarding Puducherry’s interests despite being part of the ruling alliance. He also urged the audience not to trust the DMK, adding that Puducherry’s long-pending demand for statehood had been ignored by multiple governments. He spoke about the Union Territory’s lack of an IT park, shortage of basic amenities, and slow pace of development, framing them as failures of the central leadership.

A brief moment of concern swept through the venue when security forces stopped a man carrying a handgun at the entrance. Police later said he had a licensed pistol and was serving as a guard for a party secretary. The rally continued after the situation was brought under control.

The event itself had strict entry rules. Only 5,000 residents of Puducherry, each carrying QR-coded passes, were allowed inside. Residents of Tamil Nadu were not permitted to enter the venue at all. However, as the crowd outside grew larger than expected, police began restricting access, leading to long lines and some confusion.

In his address, Vijay also drew a comparison with the political journey of matinee idol and former chief minister M. G. Ramachandran. He reminded the audience that MGR’s AIADMK government was formed in Puducherry three years before it came to power in Tamil Nadu in 1977. By invoking that history, Vijay suggested that Puducherry could once again become the starting point of a political shift.

He ended the meeting by thanking supporters who, he said, have stood by him for nearly three decades of his career in cinema and public life. The enthusiasm at the venue indicated that his influence in the region remains strong, even as he tests the waters more directly as a political leader.

Vijay’s rally comes at a time when political parties in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are preparing for a busy election season ahead. With the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections approaching and local political equations shifting, his campaign launch in Puducherry signals a broader strategy to build momentum across southern regions.

As the crowd dispersed under a tight security watch, the message was clear: Vijay’s political journey is now firmly moving beyond symbolic announcements and into active, ground-level campaigning—starting with Puducherry, a region he described as close to both his politics and his personal story.

 Vijay Launches First TVK Campaign in Puducherry Under Tight Security, after vellore incident

Vijay stepped into Puducherry for his first big TVK campaign rally, and the energy was hard to miss. Thousands gathered at the Uppalam Expo Ground despite the tight rules and strict security checks. This was his first major public meeting since the Karur stampede, and his supporters were eager to see him back on stage.

During his speech, Vijay kept things clear and direct. He did not attack Puducherry chief minister N. R. Rangasamy, but he went all out against the BJP and the Union government. He said Puducherry has been ignored for years, pointing out the lack of statehood, delayed development, and even simple things like proper parking and basic facilities. He also thanked the Puducherry government for giving full security for the event, even though TVK is not part of their alliance. With a small smile, he said Tamil Nadu’s government should learn from Puducherry’s fair approach—maybe in the 2026 elections.

There was a quick moment of tension when a man carrying a licensed pistol was stopped outside the crowd area. Police handled it quickly, and the meeting moved on smoothly.

Entry to the rally was limited. Only 5,000 Puducherry residents with QR-coded passes were allowed, and Tamil Nadu residents were kept out. Still, the crowd grew, and police had to control entry as the evening went on.

Vijay also recalled how MGR once built political support in Puducherry before rising in Tamil Nadu. He said that history might repeat itself, hinting that big changes could begin here again.

For Vijay, this was more than a rally—it was a return, a reset, and a reminder that he has supporters who have stood by him for 30 years.