Amid growing speculation about Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's potential elevation to the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan stirred a political debate by suggesting that the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections could witness a major faceoff between two prominent figures from the film industry—Udhayanidhi Stalin and Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) president, actor Vijay. The comment comes in the backdrop of Vijay’s increasing political activity, including the announcement of TVK’s first state conference.
Kovai Sathyan remarked that Udhayanidhi's elevation within the DMK was long anticipated, with plans to make him the chief ministerial candidate for the 2026 elections. However, Sathyan emphasized that the entry of Vijay into active politics has unsettled the DMK, creating a potential rivalry between the two actors-turned-politicians. "Actor Vijay will be pitted against Udhayanidhi because both of them are from the film industry," said Sathyan, noting that this competition could shape the upcoming elections.
Interestingly, AIADMK's own leadership, particularly Edappadi K Palaniswami, was notably absent from Sathyan's comments, raising eyebrows within the party. Many were surprised that Sathyan seemed to position the 2026 election as a contest between DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin and Vijay, bypassing AIADMK’s own prospects.
Meanwhile, Vijay has been making significant strides in his political journey, most recently announcing TVK’s first state-level conference, set to take place in Villupuram district on October 27. The actor-politician plans to unveil his party's policies and future roadmap at the event. Earlier, on August 22, Vijay launched TVK’s party flag at its headquarters in Panaiyur, on the outskirts of Chennai, signaling his serious intent to engage in Tamil Nadu politics.