Key Highlights:
- Actor-politician Vijay addressed his first public rally in Puducherry since the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives in September 2024
- A man carrying a licensed handgun was detained at the rally venue, creating a brief security scare before the event proceeded under tight security
- Vijay criticized the DMK government over security failures and demanded full statehood for Puducherry ahead of 2026 elections
Opening Overview
Actor-turned-politician Vijay‘s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam held its first major outdoor public event in Puducherry on December 9, 2025, marking a significant political comeback after the tragic stampede in Karur that resulted in 41 deaths in September 2024. The Vijay Puducherry rally, conducted under stringent security measures at the Expo Ground in Uppalam, featured a handgun scare when police detained a man claiming to be a personal security guard carrying a licensed revolver. Despite initial denial of permission citing cramped streets and narrow lanes, Puducherry police granted approval for the Vijay Puducherry rally with strict conditions, including limiting attendance to 5,000 people with QR code verification and deploying 800 police personnel.
Even after the Karur incident, people continue to extend their support to Vijay in large numbers, and today is a clear reflection of that..
— கபிலன் (@_kabilans) December 9, 2025
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may be different on paper but we are one family.
I will always stand with the people of Puducherry soon our… pic.twitter.com/VbykT7MKfl
The event served as Vijay’s first public campaign meeting in the union territory ahead of the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry elections scheduled for April-May 2026. During his address, Vijay launched a fierce attack on Tamil Nadu’s DMK government, specifically referencing the Karur tragedy and praising Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy for providing “full security” for the Vijay Puducherry rally. The actor-politician’s party, TVK, will make its electoral debut in the upcoming elections, contesting independently without alliances with established political parties.
Security Measures and Handgun Incident at Vijay Puducherry Rally
- A Tamil Nadu man carrying a licensed handgun was detained during security screening at the Vijay Puducherry rally venue
- Police deployed 800 officers and restricted entry to 5,000 people with QR codes following the Karur stampede lessons
The security arrangements for the Vijay Puducherry rally reflected heightened caution following the devastating Karur stampede. According to police reports, a man identifying himself as being from Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu was detained after routine frisking revealed a revolver holstered at his left waist. The individual claimed to be a personal security officer who had arrived late to the Vijay Puducherry rally, and the weapon was later confirmed to be licensed. Officials emphasized that the incident occurred well before the event began, causing no disruption to the two-hour TVK meeting that proceeded under tight security.
Puducherry police initially denied permission for the Vijay Puducherry rally roadshow, citing the union territory’s cramped streets and narrow lanes as safety concerns. However, authorities subsequently granted approval with several strict conditions designed to prevent crowd-related incidents similar to the Karur tragedy. The security protocol for the Vijay Puducherry rally included issuing QR codes to only 5,000 attendees, a significant reduction from typical political gathering sizes, and deploying 800 police personnel across the venue. Despite these restrictions, large crowds of Vijay’s fans gathered outside the designated area, with some climbing nearby trees to catch a glimpse of the popular actor, demonstrating the challenge of managing enthusiasm for the Vijay Puducherry rally.
Political Attacks on DMK and Karur Stampede References
- Vijay declared the DMK as his “political enemy” and criticized the government’s security arrangements during the Karur event
- The actor-politician promised that DMK would “100 per cent learn their lesson” in the upcoming 2026 elections
The Vijay Puducherry rally served as a platform for sharp political attacks against the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu. Vijay specifically praised Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy for providing comprehensive security arrangements for the Vijay Puducherry rally, contrasting this with what he characterized as inadequate measures during the Karur event. “It will be good if Tamil Nadu’s DMK regime learns from impartial Puducherry government. They will, however, not learn now,” Vijay declared, adding that “the DMK regime will 100 per cent learn their lesson in the election”.
The reference to the Karur stampede during the Vijay Puducherry rally highlighted ongoing tensions between TVK and DMK over the September 27, 2024 tragedy that ultimately claimed 41 lives, including 18 women, 13 men, 5 girls, and 5 boys. Following the stampede at Velayudhampalayam in Karur, where thousands had gathered for a TVK campaign rally, Vijay accused DMK boss and Chief Minister MK Stalin of “taking revenge” by allegedly failing to provide adequate security.
The DMK, meanwhile, countered that Vijay failed to follow police instructions, including arriving significantly later than scheduled and parking his vehicle too close to the crowd. The tragedy resulted in a judicial inquiry headed by retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan, with Chief Minister Stalin announcing Rs 10 lakh compensation for each deceased family while Vijay pledged Rs 20 lakh per family from personal funds.
Statehood Demand and Development Vision for Puducherry
- Full statehood for Puducherry to enable industrial development and infrastructure creation
- Streamlined ration shop distribution and protection for local fishermen arrested in Sri Lankan waters
A major component of the Vijay Puducherry rally involved the actor-politician’s pitch for full statehood for the union territory, arguing this was essential for transforming it into a “leading industrial hub”. The statehood demand is a long-pending issue for Puducherry, which currently operates under union territory status that limits its ability to exercise powers for creating employment potential by inviting more industries and developing infrastructure facilities for tourism.
The Puducherry Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution demanding statehood in August 2024, with Chief Minister Rangasamy assuring members he would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the matter.During the Vijay Puducherry rally, the TVK leader assured the people that his party would always stand with them in their development aspirations. “I will always stand with the people of Puducherry and, in the coming election, the flag of our party will surely fly here,” Vijay declared at the Vijay Puducherry rally.
He addressed specific local grievances, highlighting that “Puducherry has no ration shops” and demanding that “the supply of rice and essential items should be streamlined”. The actor also advocated for local fishermen who inadvertently stray into Sri Lankan waters and face arrest, stating “This must change” during the Vijay Puducherry rally. Puducherry, formed in 1962 from four former French colonies (Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe), has limited administrative autonomy despite having an elected legislature, unlike most union territories.
Electoral Strategy and Political Positioning Ahead of 2026 Polls
| Political Positioning | Details |
|---|---|
| Political Enemy | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| Ideological Enemy | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Electoral Alliance | Contesting solo without pre-poll alliances |
| Key Recruitment | KA Sengottaiyan, expelled AIADMK leader joined TVK in November 2025 |
| Election Timeline | Tamil Nadu and Puducherry elections expected April-May 2026 |
The Vijay Puducherry rally demonstrated the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s independent electoral strategy for the 2026 elections, with the party categorically ruling out any pre-poll alliances with established political parties. Vijay has openly declared the DMK as his “political enemy” and the BJP as his “ideological enemy,” though he has notably not bestowed such epithets on the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, leading to persistent speculation about some understanding.
This positioning was evident throughout the Vijay Puducherry rally, where attacks focused primarily on the DMK government while avoiding direct criticism of other opposition parties.In a significant pre-poll boost before the Vijay Puducherry rally, expelled AIADMK veteran KA Sengottaiyan joined the TVK in November 2025, bringing vast political influence and experience to the fledgling party. Sengottaiyan’s recruitment represents a strategic move by Vijay to strengthen TVK’s organizational capacity for its maiden electoral contest across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The Vijay Puducherry rally was the first major public campaign event for TVK in the union territory, where 30 legislative assembly seats will be contested in 2026. The party’s decision to contest independently, demonstrated at the Vijay Puducherry rally, reflects confidence in Vijay’s massive popularity in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala, where the actor enjoys substantial fan following across all three states that will vote in early 2026.
Closing Assessment
The Vijay Puducherry rally on December 9, 2025, marked a critical milestone for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam as it prepares for its electoral debut in the April-May 2026 elections across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Despite the handgun scare that briefly created tension at the venue, the event proceeded smoothly under the watch of 800 police personnel, demonstrating lessons learned from the tragic Karur stampede. The Vijay Puducherry rally showcased the actor-politician’s dual strategy of attacking the ruling DMK while positioning himself as a champion of regional development issues, from statehood demands to fishermen’s rights and ration distribution.
As the 2026 electoral battle approaches, the success of the Vijay Puducherry rally in mobilizing supporters despite strict attendance restrictions suggests that TVK’s independent political journey may pose a significant challenge to established parties in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Whether Vijay’s popularity can translate into electoral success without traditional political alliances remains the defining question as the Vijay Puducherry rally sets the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested election season.
