Chennai, India — Vijay is set to contest his first Tamil Nadu Assembly election from two urban constituencies — Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchi East — following a long-standing political tradition in the state, though such a strategy is rarely adopted by debutants.
Vijay announced the move on March 29, 2026, as his newly formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, prepares to make its electoral debut. He has not publicly explained the decision and has remained largely inaccessible to the media.
The dual-constituency approach has precedent in Tamil Nadu politics, where prominent leaders have contested multiple seats to maximize political reach and ensure electoral security.
One of the most notable examples is J. Jayalalithaa, who in 1991 contested from both Kangeyam and Bargur. At the time, she dismissed speculation that the move reflected electoral insecurity, calling it a precautionary step. Riding a massive sympathy wave after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, her alliance secured a landslide victory, and she won both seats before vacating one.
In 2001, Jayalalithaa again drew attention by filing nominations from four constituencies despite legal limits allowing only two, a move widely interpreted as politically strategic amid legal challenges she was facing.
Not all dual-contest strategies have succeeded. K. Krishnasamy contested two reserved constituencies in 2001 but lost both, as his party failed to secure any seats despite an alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Similarly, unusual multi-seat nomination attempts have surfaced in the past, including independent candidate Chengai Sivam filing nominations across multiple constituencies during by-elections, highlighting the political maneuvering often seen around electoral rules.
Against this backdrop, Vijay’s decision signals an ambitious entry into politics, aiming to build statewide visibility and consolidate support across regions. Whether the strategy will translate into electoral success remains to be seen, but it firmly places him within a familiar — and high-stakes — Tamil Nadu political playbook.
SOURCE : THE HINDU | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |
