Congress MP Manickam Tagore has identified actor-politician Vijay as a growing political force in Tamil Nadu, positioning him as a key challenger to the opposition INDI alliance ahead of the 2026 state elections. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Tagore highlighted that the Congress respects anyone who stands against the BJP and RSS, hinting at the possibility of future collaborations, including with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Expressing confidence about the INDI alliance’s prospects, Tagore said, “We are very positive that the alliance will secure a clear-cut victory.” He explained that seat-sharing discussions within the Congress and with allies such as the DMK are standard practice, with final decisions resting with party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
Tagore also accused the BJP of attempting voter suppression through tactics like the Statewide Intelligent Revision (SIR) and deletion of voters, warning of similar strategies in Tamil Nadu if the BJP-AIADMK combine gains momentum. He welcomed the Supreme Court’s inclusion of Aadhaar as the 12th identity document, calling it a “huge relief” for voters.
Commenting on Vijay’s political stance, Tagore noted that the actor has focused criticism on ruling parties, including the DMK and BJP. He welcomed Vijay’s opposition to SIR, delimitation, and alleged voter deletions, emphasizing the importance of ideological clarity against BJP-RSS policies.
While Tagore said it was too early to discuss a formal alliance with Vijay, he described the INDI alliance as an “umbrella organization” that accommodates all groups opposing the BJP and RSS, similar to collaborations with the Trinamool Congress and Left parties in other states. Tagore also indicated that anti-DMK votes could shift toward TVK, underlining Vijay’s increasing political influence in Tamil Nadu.
