Chennai’s political buzz intensifies as the Election Commission greenlights symbols for two celebrity-led outfits eyeing Tamil Nadu’s Assembly seats. On Thursday, Vijay’s freshly launched Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) secured the whistle emblem, and Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) the battery torch.
This decision, rooted in the 1968 Symbols Order, recognizes both as registered unrecognized parties. Their debut in the upcoming elections could disrupt the Dravidian dominance, with fans turning into voters en masse.
The ECI order specifies flexibility: unused symbols in certain constituencies become free-for-all. Parties must also prove electoral viability by clinching at least 5% of seats, or risk losing their hard-won badges.
Vijay, riding high on blockbuster hits, positions TVK as a youth-centric alternative. Haasan, the veteran actor-filmmaker, has long championed MNM’s anti-corruption stance. Pundits forecast their campaigns could draw huge crowds, challenging established players.
Meanwhile, AIADMK isn’t sitting idle. Leader EPS rolled out manifesto phase one on January 17, spotlighting ‘Kula Vilakku’—a Rs 2,000 monthly aid for ration-holding women household heads, directly into accounts.
With DMK, AIADMK, and others strategizing, Tamil Nadu 2026 looms as a high-stakes drama. Star politicians might not just entertain but redefine governance, making every vote count in this southern showdown.