Tamil Nadu | Vijay opposes Chennai's Parandur airport plan, NEET exam

Actor-politician Vijay-led Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) on Sunday (November 3) condemned the DMK government in Tamil Nadu over law and order, nudged it to hold a caste survey, demanded scrapping the Parandur airport project, and sought the closure of liquor outlets in a time-bound manner.

The popular actor's newly formed party also opposed the BJP and the Centre, terming the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which is under the review of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), an "attack against federalism", and wanted it to be withdrawn.

In its first meeting of district office bearers and the executive committee in Chennai, the party deliberated on 'strengthening' its organisational structure, discussed reaching out to the people and passed 26 resolutions.

'Attack on federalism'

The TVK has officially voiced its opposition to the Union government’s proposal for ‘one nation, one election’, which aims to hold simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies across India. In a recent resolution, the party flayed this initiative, contending that it undermines the federal structure and the unique needs of different states.

“TVK opposes ‘one nation, one election’. A resolution was passed condemning the Union government’s proposal,” the party said in a statement released on Sunday.

Also read: Vijay balances Dravidianism with secularism, throws in some Tamil pride

The TVK also passed resolutions calling for the Union government to exempt Tamil Nadu from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which many in the state believe imposes unfair challenges on local students.

Waqf Amendment Bill

The party also made a plea to the Union government for the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Bill, which pertains to the management and governance of Waqf properties.

TVK came into inception in February this year, but the party hogged the limelight last month only when its founder and popular South Indian actor Vijay delivered his maiden political speech, outlining the party’s vision for Tamil Nadu.

Abolition of the governor’s post, a shift from traditional reservation systems to a proportional representation model, and a two-language policy prioritising Tamil were some of the highlights of the party’s agenda, which the Tamil superstar underlined while delivering his speech at Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu on October 27.

Gender equality

The party, promoting gender equality in politics, pledges to reserve one-third of seats in the party and assembly for women. Vijay also stressed that proportional representation based on the caste census is the only solution to provide social justice for all.

Also read: Vijay's TVK party resolutions do not tread a new, trail-blazing path

The TVK also intends to decentralise administration and improve local governance by establishing a new branch of the state secretariat in Madurai.

Vijay also expressed hope for strong public support in the 2026 Assembly elections, welcoming potential allies and promising equitable power-sharing.

The event also featured the unveiling of TVK’s principles, centered around the Tirukkural’s idea that “everyone is equal by birth,” and a commitment to combating both state and Central government policies deemed “anti-people.”