The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which translates to "Tamil Nadu Victory Federation," is a regional political party active in the state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry. It is an institution founded by actor-turned-politician Vijay on February 2, 2024, who serves as its first president.
The party's origin is rooted in Vijay's long-standing fan club, the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (Vijay's People Movement), which was launched in 2009 and had already contested and won 115 out of 169 seats in the 2021 Tamil Nadu local body elections. The TVK was created to provide a "clean" alternative to the established bipolar dominance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Its stated ideology is centered on secularism, social justice, and egalitarianism, with a political position described as centre-left. The party's slogan is Pirappokkum Ella Uyirkkum, meaning "All are equal by birth," derived from Kural verse 972.
The TVK's mechanism is outlined in its manifesto, which focuses on welfare schemes and governance reforms ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Key provisions include a monthly financial assistance of ₹2,500 for women heads of households, six free LPG cylinders annually, and a 50% loan waiver for farmers. The party also emphasizes an AI-driven governance model and collateral-free education loans up to ₹20 lakh.
The party connects directly to the Dravidian political tradition in Tamil Nadu by using the suffix Kazhagam, which is famously used by the DMK and AIADMK. It has adopted ideological guides such as Periyar, Ambedkar, and Kamarajar. The TVK has recently been registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and has declared its intent to contest the 2026 state elections, positioning itself as a "third pole" in the state's politics. The party's election symbol is the Whistle.