DMK chief Stalin accuses Vijay of compromising with BJP

Stalin took to social media on Thursday to question Vijay's credibility as a political newcomer, highlighting what he described as a fundamental contradiction in the TVK supremo's positioning. The DMK chief's remarks come as the newly-formed Tamil Maanila Congress (Moovendar Kazhagam) prepares candidates for assembly bypolls in the state.

In his social media post, Stalin questioned how Vijay could present his party as a "pure force" in Tamil Nadu politics while simultaneously fielding candidates who, according to the DMK leader, were acquired from the National Democratic Alliance bloc. The accusation points to defections of sitting MLAs to the TVK ahead of the bypolls.

The remarks represent an escalation of tension between the DMK and TVK, which emerged as a significant political force following Vijay's entry into electoral politics. Stalin's attack targets Vijay's political messaging that has centered on offering an alternative to both the DMK and the AIADMK-led NDA alliance.

The bypolls are expected to serve as a crucial indicator of TVK's political strength in the state ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, making both the DMK and the nascent party keen to establish their ground presence and expand their political footprint in Tamil Nadu.