The people of Tamil Nadu will ‘minus’ (negative) the selfish alliance calculations of the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, which did not care about their safety, in the 2026 Assembly election, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay said in Chennai on Friday.
Mr. Vijay launched the book, Ellorukkumaana Thalaivar Ambedkar (Ambedkar: A leader for all), authored by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) deputy general secretary Aadhav Arjuna; published by Vikatan Group; and co-published by Voice of Commons. Copies of the book were received by Anand Teltumbde, scholar and civil rights activist; and Justice K. Chandru, former Judge of the Madras High Court.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Vijay said Ambedkar faced caste-based discrimination since childhood. His self-confidence made him study hard and become a great intellectual, against all odds. “We all should be proud of Ambedkar, who gave us the Constitution. Had Ambedkar been alive today, would he feel happy or sad to see the state of affairs in India now? If our country is to grow, democracy should prevail. To save democracy, the Constitution must be saved. The duty to save the Constitution is on each one of us,” he said.
“The root of democracy is free and fair elections. Every Indian should have faith in elections. To ensure voter confidence in elections, the Election Commissioners should be appointed based only on consensus,” he said, and appealed to the Union government to declare April 14, the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as Democratic Rights Day.
“We all know what is happening in Manipur. But the Union government is not paying any attention to the issue. Similarly, the State government that speaks about social justice has not taken any action in the Vengaivayal issue. Even after several months, there has been no development in the case. If Ambedkar would see these issues today, he would hang his head in shame,” Mr. Vijay said.
“To ensure the safety of people living in Tamil Nadu, a government that really cares about them should come to power. Instead of posting on social media and giving statements as a custom, we should stand with the people emotionally,” he said.
“I am warning the anti-people [DMK] government that always thinks only about stitching alliances, and arrogantly claims it will win 200 seats. The people of Tamil Nadu will ‘minus’ your selfish alliance calculations in the 2026 Assembly election,” he said.
VCK leader’s absence
“VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavam is not here in person. He couldn’t come for the launch of a book, that too on Ambedkar, because of political pressure in the alliance. But his thoughts will be only with us today,” Mr. Vijay said.
Mr. Arjuna said, “In Tamil Nadu, only monarchy exists. In 2026, monarchy should come to an end. Chief Ministers should not be chosen based on birth. We need ideologically committed leaders to rule Tamil Nadu. A common man, a Dalit, should become Chief Minister.”
He claimed a single company was controlling the cinema industry in the State. He hailed Mr. Vijay for announcing that he would share power with the TVK’s allies in 2026 if his party comes to power.
Justice Chandru, Mr. Teltumbde, and P. Srinivasan, Managing Director, Vikatan Group, were among those who spoke at the event.
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