Chennai: Bringing to a close weeks of political speculation, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Wednesday announced that it would contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections independently, with its founder and actor Vijay named as the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate.

The decision was formally announced at the party’s special general council meeting held at a private hotel in Mamallapuram.

The meeting, presided over by Vijay, was attended by more than 2,000 general council members, party district secretaries, and office-bearers from across the State.

The session began on a sombre note with a two-minute silence in memory of the 41 people who died in the Karur stampede during Vijay’s rally on September 27.

The tragedy, which had cast a shadow over the party’s activities, was ac

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