What’s next for TVK's Vijay: Will he join hands with Congress or form alliance with DMK or AIADMK?

Tamil Nadu has had a proper political jolt, and at the centre of it is Vijay. The actor-turned-politician has made a blockbuster debut, with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as a serious disruptor in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election.

Read more: Not just Thalapathy Vijay! His driver’s son also dethrones a DMK MLA. Who is he and how did he push Stalin’s party out?

For decades, the state’s politics has largely revolved around the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). But this time, Vijay’s entry has shaken that long-standing duopoly in a big way.

TVK’s strong debut shakes Tamil Nadu politics

In a debut that’s honestly hard to ignore, TVK has crossed the 100-seat mark in the 234-member assembly. That’s no small feat for a first outing. Still, it falls short of the magic number of 118 needed to form a government on its own.

That leaves Tamil Nadu staring at a classic hung assembly scenario, and suddenly, Vijay is no longer just a crowd-puller, he’s the man everyone wants to talk to.

The big question now: is this a one-off “Vijay wave”, or the start of a long-term political shift?

Congress factor: Kingmaker or cautious player?

One of the biggest talking points right now is whether TVK will look towards Congress for support. The party, which is part of the DMK-led alliance, has won a handful of seats, not massive, but potentially crucial in a tight numbers game.

Interestingly, as per a TOI report, Rahul Gandhi reportedly called Vijay to congratulate him, calling the result “spectacular” and praising the rising voice of youth.

That’s set off a fair bit of chatter in political circles. Could Congress switch sides if offered a decent power-sharing deal? It’s possible, but not straightforward. The party’s existing commitments and national positioning make any sudden move a bit tricky.

DMK dilemma: stick or shift?

For the DMK, led by MK Stalin, the results are a clear setback. Losing ground, and even key strongholds, has put the party on the defensive.

While Congress remains within its fold for now, the broader alliance dynamics are looking a bit shaky. If numbers tighten further, DMK may have to rethink its strategy, though a direct tie-up with Vijay would be politically awkward, to say the least.

AIADMK angle: still in the game

Don’t count out the AIADMK just yet. Despite struggling to regain its old dominance after the passing of J Jayalalithaa, the party still holds relevance in a fractured mandate.

Leaders close to Edappadi K Palaniswami believe Vijay might struggle to run a stable government with just smaller allies. That opens the door for a possible AIADMK role, though any such move could come with conditions, including broader political backing.

Vijay’s ‘no alliance’ stance faces real test

Interestingly, Vijay’s political journey was pitched as a solo mission from day one. His father, SA Chandrasekhar, has been quite vocal about that.

“In the last two years, his confidence has been fantastic… the faith that I will come as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. I'm appreciating that attitude. As a leader, his boldness is that I will stand on my own legs with no alliance. I think it's a historical success, a historical victory for Vijay,” he said.

That sounds great in theory. But now comes the real-world test, numbers.

With around 107 seats in hand, TVK needs just over 10 more MLAs to cross the majority mark. That means alliances aren’t just an option anymore, they might be unavoidable.

Coalition politics and the road ahead

Behind the scenes, there’s already movement. TVK is reportedly exploring multiple options, including support from smaller parties and even allies from both DMK and AIADMK camps.

Meanwhile, Congress insiders have hinted that a “power-sharing arrangement” could make things interesting. Left parties like CPI and CPM are playing it safe for now, waiting for formal outreach.

There’s also political noise around possible manoeuvring involving BJP and AIADMK, though nothing concrete yet.

A defining moment for Vijay’s political future

Make no mistake, this is a turning point. Vijay has already broken the myth that actors can’t succeed in politics, joining the league of icons like MG Ramachandran and NT Rama Rao.

But winning seats is one thing. Running a stable government is a completely different ball game.

The next few days will decide whether Vijay sticks to his “go solo” stance or adapts to coalition politics. Either way, Tamil Nadu politics has clearly entered a new phase, and it’s going to be quite the watch.

Inputs from TOI