In his first electoral contest, Vijay will also run from Tiruchirappalli (East) in central Tamil Nadu.
“It will be C Joseph Vijay from these two seats,” the actor-turned-politician declared passionately amid applause at a gathering of party functionaries at a luxury hotel in the city.
During the event, he also revealed and introduced candidates for the remaining 232 seats, including members of his core team.
Reiterating that the contest is between his “people’s alliance TVK” and the “Stalin-led alliance,” he referred to the ruling DMK-led coalition as a “patch-up.”
“I have chosen candidates who will genuinely stand with the people,” he stated.
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“They are not mere ‘vetpalargal’ (candidates), but ‘makkal kappalargal’ (people’s protectors),” Vijay said, urging voters to fully support them.
He specifically called on Gen Z voters to turn out in large numbers for the party’s ‘whistle’ symbol and encourage their families to back TVK candidates.
“This is a generational electoral battle,” he asserted, emphasizing that the competition is mainly between the DMK and TVK.
Defining the qualities of an MLA, Vijay emphasized the need for impeccable integrity and a commitment not to “loot” the people.
Revealing a youth-centric agenda, which he labeled a “guarantee,” Vijay promised several initiatives, including efforts toward a drug-free Tamil Nadu and collateral-free loans of up to Rs 20 lakh for students from class 12 through PhD.
His vision for a drug-free Tamil Nadu encompasses stringent laws to restrict the flow and circulation of narcotics, community policing, and the establishment of anti-drug clubs.
“Anti-drug clubs will be established in all schools and colleges across the state to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs and prevent abuse,” he mentioned.
Vijay also pledged a fixed recruitment timeline for all state government positions, to be overseen under the proposed Tamil Nadu Recruitment Accountability and Transparency Act (TRATA).
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“To ensure compliance with deadlines, the entire recruitment process—from TNPSC and TRB/TNEB notifications to appointments—will be completed within 365 days by law,” he stated.
The guarantees also include “employment delay financial assistance.” Under this, unemployed graduates aged 29 and above will receive ₹4,000 per month, while diploma holders will get ₹2,500 through the Youth Welfare Fund.
He asserted that his government would facilitate five lakh internship opportunities annually in collaboration with private industries and MSMEs.
“Graduates will receive ₹10,000 per month, and ITI/diploma holders ₹8,000. This will lower hiring costs for industries and promote employment of local youth,” he explained.
Under the Vetri Entrepreneur Scheme, aimed at fostering ethical entrepreneurship, collateral-free loans of up to ₹25 lakh will be made available.
Other proposals include a Tamil Employment Credit System, where private companies ensuring 75% local employment will be eligible for a 2.5% SGST rebate, a 5% subsidy on electricity charges, and priority in government procurement.
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Highlighting that the current agenda focuses on youth, Vijay mentioned that his party is developing separate policy frameworks for farmers, fishermen, government employees, teachers, weavers, and laborers.
Vijay also introduced the party’s candidates for the Puducherry Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, with the candidate list released earlier.
In the meantime, approximately 500 individuals gathered at the entrance of the hotel venue, protesting a perceived lack of transparency in candidate selection.
The demonstrators, predominantly from Vellore, claimed longstanding loyalists were “overlooked” in favor of newer entrants.
“We submitted our candidacy petitions, and at least one among us should have been interviewed. We urge Thalapathy (Vijay) to engage with us and reconsider the candidate selection process,” Prabhu from K V Kuppam in Vellore conveyed to PTI.
Meanwhile, Rhevanth Charan, the TVK candidate from Maduravoyal, indicated that the atmosphere was “favorable” for the party.
“Maduravoyal is a large constituency with roughly 3.64 lakh voters post-SIR. It appears promising for us, as neither the AIADMK nor the DMK has contributed significantly to the constituency. The current MLA has only been visible in the last three months due to elections,” remarked Charan, Chennai Zone Coordinator (Advocates Wing), while speaking to PTI Videos.
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