Actor-politician Vijay has propelled his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), to the forefront of the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026, as early trends indicate a clear majority. As counting was set in motion on Monday, the statistics from the Election Commission of India (ECI) suggested TVK leading in over 120 of the 234 constituencies, positioning it well above the halfway mark of 118 required to form the government.

The state was long dominated by two Dravidian giants, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which are poised for a halt, as per the early trends.

DMK, AIADMK alliances falter

The ruling DMK, led by Chief Minister (CM) MK Stalin, struggled to maintain its footing, as its alliance trailed below 50 giants. Meanwhile, the AIADMK-led front, supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress allies, managed to log the 50-60 seat mark.

Vijay’s meteoric rise in politics is being believed to have been fuelled by his widespread popularity as a film star, coupled with a well-organised grassroots network. His fan base, mobilised through the “Vijay Makkal Iyakkam,” played a key role in propagating his message across urban and rural constituencies alike. TVK’s leaders credited the ‘young and tireless’ cadre for the breakthrough, underscoring that volunteers worked relentlessly to convert fan enthusiasm into electoral gains.

TVK’s slogan, ‘Pirappokum Ella Uyirkum,’ which translates to ‘all are equal by birth,’ resonated strongly with voters seeking an alternative to traditional power structures. Notably, Vijay launched his political party in February 2024, and wasted little time in establishing a political identity. By March 2026, he unveiled candidates for all 234 constituencies, including 26 women, signalling an inclusive and broad approach.

With the counting trends in his favour, celebrations erupted at his residence and across party offices in Chennai. His supporters waved flags and distributed sweets as early trends pointed towards a landslide.

Tamil Nadu braces for fresh leadership

It is noteworthy that Tamil Nadu has a huge history of film stars transitioning into politics, most notably MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. If the current trends persist, Vijay, regarded as the Tamil film industry’s Thalapathy, could emerge as the third major figure to reshape the state’s political narrative.