As actor-politician C Joseph Vijay’s sweeping popularity takes TVK to the cusp of power in Tamil Nadu, questions remain on the party’s vision for the State. Based on the TVK’s manifesto, Vijay and his party seem inclined to continue the welfare model that brought much success to his predecessors. Like the DMK and AIADMK, the party had promised direct benefit schemes for women, including a ₹2,500 monthly transfer to the women heads of households, alongside six free LPG cylinders annually and marriage assistance that includes gold and sarees.
Alongside women and youth, among the party’s strongest bases, the party has promised a host of schemes, including ₹4,000 per month for unemployed graduates and ₹2,500 to diploma holders, alongside interest-free loans of up to ₹25 lakh for both higher education and honest entrepreneurial activities.
The two-year-old party has also promised resolutions to critical issues in the State that had often posed challenges to its Dravidian predecessors.
For instance, on the Cauvery dispute, Vijay, who had been vocal about the issue even prior to his political fray, has accused the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu and the Central government of failing to protect the farmers interest in the Cauvery delta. He has said the TVK will address the challenges around Cauvery, focusing on “practically possible” solutions.
On the controversial three-language policy under NEP, Vijay holds the same stance as DMK, and has explicitly rejected the Central government’s proposals, arguing that it is an attempt to force Hindi. He has maintained that while he is not against any language by itself, he will not allow “thrusting” one language over other.
He also condemned the Central Government’s recent move to bring in a Delimitation Bill in Parliament, calling it an infringement on State rights.
He has expressed solidarity with Eelam Tamils, and has accused the DMK government of remaining silent on the problems faced by Eelam Tamils and fishermen. He has formally called for an independent referendum among Sri Lankan Tamils to determine their political future.
On governance, TVK’s pitch diverged from the traditional parties with some unusual policies like allowing people to decide 10 per cent of the State’s budget allocation and dedicating one day of the Assembly sessions for hearing public appeals.
Interestingly, it has also proposed the use of Artificial Intelligence for administrative work and even floated the idea of a dedicated AI ministry.
Importantly, political observers credit TVK’s success to its emphasis on working-class inclusion, including offering a seat to an auto driver Vijay Dhamu, who also won. This is in sharp contrast to the lack of professionals and first-time candidates in DMK and AIADMK.
drug menace
TVK also ran a focused campaign against the drug menace and violence against women, both of which it attributed to the DMK rule. It has floated dedicated task forces and stricter enforcement mechanisms to tackle the situation.
As for the economy, the party has one upped the incumbent DMK’s $1-trillion economy vision by 2030, by pushing the goals to a $1.5-trillion economy by 2036, promising support for MSMEs and quick business licences for investors.
A defining feature of the incumbent DMK regime was its persistent friction with the BJP-led Central Government. While Vijay has repeatedly called the BJP his “ideological enemy,” it looks to be seen on how he handles relations with New Delhi.
Published on May 4, 2026