While TVK fell short of absolute majority, it shook DMK and AIDMK. And comparisons with towering figures of Tamil cinema who went on to become highly followed politicians, Tamil Nadu CMs - MGR and Jayalalitha are inevitable. J Jayalalitha served as Tamil Nadu CM for over 14 years across six separate terms between 1991 and 2016. While M G Ramachandran served as the CM of Tamil Nadu for over 10 years, until his death.
Speaking exclusively to Times Now Digital, senior journalist and south cinema film critic Latha Srinivasan said there is a key difference. "Both MGR and Jayalalithaa had deep grounding in grassroots politics before assuming leadership. Vijay, in contrast, does not have that kind of political experience. What he does have, however, is a powerful mandate. The support of the people puts him in a very strong position.” This, she says, is all the more important, especially in a landscape increasingly shaped by social media and first-time voters who see him as a leader capable of change.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by C. Joseph Vijay, swept the elections on May 4, 2026, winning 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly. Dismissed by most of his political opponents, Vijay was a shocking surprise for most in the southern state. Even most exit polls also projected him as the kingmaker and not the king himself.
WATCH:TVK Breaks TN Duopoly As Vijay Moves Closer To CM Oath In Landmark Political Shift | Newshour Agenda
Powered by adoring supporters and voters weary of the DMK-AIADMK binary, the Dravidian duo that has been ruling Tamil Nadu alternately since 1962, 51-year-old Vijay was a much-needed change, possibly. All through his campaign he projected himself as the real-life hero – the 'jana nayagan', Tamil for 'the people's leader' – in the battle against the 'evil' DMK, whom he branded his 'political enemy'.
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Kalpana Sharma is currently the Lifestyle and Education Editor at Times Now and Editor of Health and Me (Times Networks' health website). With a stron...View More
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