Actor Vijay Returns to Chennai After CBI Questioning; TVK Stands Firm Against BJP

Actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has firmly ruled out any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reiterating that the saffron party remains an ideological enemy. This stance was reaffirmed by TVK Deputy General Secretary Nirmal Kumar shortly after Vijay returned to Chennai following questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the tragic Karur stampede. The incident at a TVK rally in Karur claimed at least 41 lives, prompting the CBI to summon Vijay for another round of questioning on January 19, 2026.

Vijay has consistently maintained a strong opposition to the BJP and suggested no cooperation, directly or indirectly, with the AIADMK, which has recently revived its ties with the saffron party. Amid speculation about potential political realignments ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK emphasized that there has been no change in its ideological position. When asked about possible affinity with the Congress, particularly following supportive statements from Rahul Gandhi, Nirmal Kumar responded that while the party welcomes support for Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan, any decision on alliances would be taken solely by party chief Vijay.

The controversy surrounding Vijay's farewell film, Jana Nayagan, has added another layer to the political discourse. The film, which missed its intended Pongal release due to delays in certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), is now the subject of a Supreme Court petition by its producers seeking an early hearing. The CBFC has filed a caveat in the apex court. The Tamil Nadu Congress Chief has accused the BJP of orchestrating the certification hurdles to pressure Vijay into a "political agreement" and join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to challenge the ruling DMK. Rahul Gandhi amplified the criticism on X, describing the I&B Ministry's actions as an attack on Tamil culture and vowing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not succeed in suppressing Tamil voices.

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The BJP has denied any involvement, with spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy asserting that the CBFC is an independent professional body and that the issue is purely related to certification. He questioned the motive behind giving publicity to Vijay if the party had no interest in an alliance. Meanwhile, the Congress leadership has reiterated its commitment to its existing alliance with the DMK, which involves power-sharing and seat adjustments, while TVK continues to position itself as an independent force promising a share in power but has yet to secure major party affiliations.

The developments highlight the complex and charged political landscape in Tamil Nadu, where Vijay's entry as a new player continues to generate speculation, scrutiny, and alliance debates even as investigations into the Karur tragedy and film certification issues remain ongoing.

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