Actor Vijay’s possible candidacy from Madurai East sparks buzz and divided opinions

Tamil actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has hinted that he may contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from Madurai East, which has triggered excitement among his supporters and cautious debate among political observers.

In Madurai’s villages, conversations are turning to politics. Disillusioned with both the AIADMK and DMK, many residents — particularly women — say they are ready to rally behind Vijay.

For many in the region, Vijay’s references to M.G. Ramachandran, AIADMK’s founder and a former Chief Minister, have struck an emotional chord.

Madurai East has long been a key battleground in Tamil Nadu politics. While communists and the AIADMK dominated until the 1990s, the DMK has secured two of the last three victories since delimitation. Locals often remark that the party winning Madurai East gains a strong foothold in Chennai.

At a recent political conference in Madurai, Vijay drew a crowd estimated at four lakh, underscoring his star power and ability to mobilise fans into a political following.

For Vijay, Madurai represents not only numbers but also symbolism, linking his rise to the legacy of MGR while offering a chance to convert fan loyalty into electoral support.

In Madurai’s urban centres, however, voters are more cautious. Some think the older population will vote for the Dravidian parties, while the young crowd will be drawn to Vijay.

Whether Vijay will indeed choose Madurai East as his political launchpad remains uncertain. But the constituency — steeped in history, symbolism, and political weight — appears to have caught his attention in a significant way.