In a significant political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi (LJK) has formally expressed its interest in forming an alliance with actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). This move marks a notable shift from the party's earlier criticism of TVK's political messaging.
From Criticism to Collaboration
Jose Charles Martin, son of lottery operator Santiago Martin and a key figure in LJK, confirmed the outreach on Friday. He stated that his party has conveyed its willingness for an alliance and is now awaiting a response from the TVK leadership. The primary reason cited for this proposed partnership is Vijay's publicly stated strong position against corruption.
"We have expressed our interest. Now the response has to come from their side. We have conveyed our willingness," Jose told reporters when questioned about the potential alliance. He clarified that no direct conversation with Vijay has taken place yet. "We have sent a request first. If they show interest, we will go and meet him," he added, indicating that any future meeting hinges on a positive response from the actor-politician.
Clarifying Earlier Remarks on 'Lack of Clarity'
Addressing his previous comments where he criticized Vijay's Erode speech for lacking clarity, Jose argued that his position was being misinterpreted. He explained that his critique was not aimed at Vijay himself but at the people surrounding him.
"The speech he delivered last time was like that. We said that the response it received was of that nature because of how he spoke," Jose stated. He elaborated further, "When we say there is a lack of clarity, what we mean is that the people around him are not at that level. That clarity is supposed to be provided by them, because the information they are giving him is incorrect."
While not naming anyone directly, this appears to be a reference to Vijay's aide and son-in-law, Aadhav Arjuna, whom Jose had previously accused of misleading the TVK leadership.
Ground Reality and Local Support in Puducherry
Jose also highlighted Vijay's limited physical presence in the Puducherry region as a practical factor favoring an alliance. He pointed out that a local party like LJK, with its grassroots presence, could provide crucial on-ground assessment and involvement.
"He is not going to be here regularly," Jose said, referring to Vijay. "The people who are here are the ones who can sit down, get involved, and assess things on the ground. In such a situation, for a local party like ours, it would be good if we have their support."
This statement underscores the strategic value LJK places on TVK's broader popularity while positioning itself as the essential local partner for effective governance and connectivity in the region.
The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is witnessing realignments as parties strategize for the crucial 2026 state polls. An alliance between the nascent TVK and the LJK could potentially create a new bloc, challenging the established Dravidian majors. All eyes are now on Vijay's TVK for its official response to this alliance proposal.
