TVK conference HIGHLIGHTS | Vijay declares war against BJP, DMK at party's first public meet
Parking and heat concerns reported
DT Next correspondent reports that there is a distance of about one kilometre from the designated parking area and the party meet venue, forcing those who came by two-wheeler and car to walk the distance under the scorching sun.
Traffic police too are facing a tough time due to the large inflow of vehicles at the venue.
Inside the venue too, people are unable to bear the heat, as there aren't enough shelters or adequate drinking water.
Conference time advanced to 3 pm
According to Daily Thanthi, the TVK conference, originally scheduled to begin at 4 PM, will now start an hour earlier at 3 PM.
Scenes from the TVK meet venue
- The TVK meet venue has turned into a family picnic spot
- Eatables are being sold by small vendors, who occupy over a one-kilometre stretch opposite the venue. Customers claim the vendors are fleecing them as a 1-litre mineral water bottle is being sold for Rs 25
- Youngsters, mostly clad in white shirts and carrying the TVK flag, are seen chanting 'Thalapathy vaazhga'
Traffic jams on Tiruchy-Chennai NH
Traffic has been disrupted on the Tiruchy-Chennai National Highway, with long queues of vehicles extending up to a 10 km stretch, due to an increase in the volunteers attending the TVK conference, said a Daily Thanthi alert.
Will Vijay spell out party ideology at TVK's first public meet?
Months after announcing his political party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), top Tamil actor Vijay is likely to spell out his political agenda and vision for the state during his keenly watched maiden public meeting here on Sunday.
Vijay has announced facing the 2026 Assembly polls, spicing up the political battlefield long dominated by the Dravidian rivals DMK and the AIADMK, with a resurgent BJP under K Annamalai making some impressive strides in this year's Lok Sabha polls. The saffron party is keen to put up a good show in the hustings in 2026 as well.
Actor Vijay during TVK party flag launch (Justin George)
TVK supporter heading to conference dies in road accident in Chennai
A Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) supporter died while another is battling for life after they met with an accident in Teynampet on Sunday morning while on the way to attend the party’s first State conference in Vikravandi, as reported by Thanthi TV. READ FULL REPORT HERE
Traffic chaos along routes to TVK meet venue; parking and seating space woes likely
There still are many hours left for the commencement of the first State conference of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the nascent party launched by actor Vijay, but a large number of people have already reached the venue – some of them camping there from Saturday night itself – leading to traffic chaos along the routes to V Salai village in Vikravandi where the meeting is happening.
The parking facilities, set across five locations within a 250-acre area, are already reported to be 50 per cent full; within an hour or so, the remaining will also fill up. That is when the vehicles are expected to be parked on the highway near the venue, which in turn would pose trouble for other road users.
Though the initial plan was to open the gates only at 10 am, the party functionaries had to open them much earlier after the heavy flow of supporters and fans. Many who gained entry disregarded the arrangements and jumped the barricades to occupy the seats in front reserved for VIPs and women.
Reports said there is seating space for only about 50,000 people, while at least two lakh are expected to attend the meeting.
Over 20 conference attendees faint
More than 20 people who came to attend the TVK State conference swooned, says a Thanthi TV report.
Mobile network issues at party conference venue
Reports said there is mobile phone network issues at the conference venue, making it difficult for supporters and fans to contact families or send photos and videos.
Queues at Chengalpattu toll plaza
There are also heavy queues at the Chengalpattu toll plaza due to the large number of vehicles carrying TVK supporters, who are streaming to the venue on buses and vans, and two and four-wheelers, all adorned with the party flag.