Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 21 : Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay on Thursday strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Tamil Nadu, urging the abolition of the competitive examination.
"Because of your stubbornness, you (PM Modi) continue to impose the NEET exam, and it pains me to even speak about what is happening here because of it. NEET must be abolished. Will you do this? You will never give us what we want or do what is right for us," Vijay said while addressing the gathering at his mega rally in Madurai.
Raising the issue of the Sri Lankan Navy "attacking" 800 fishermen, the TVK chief said, "Narendra Modi, this is your third term in power at the centre. Did you come to govern in order to serve all the people, or to conspire against our Muslim brothers? The Sri Lankan Navy has attacked 800 fishermen. Therefore, to ensure the safety of our fishermen, get Katchatheevu (island) from Sri Lanka."
Vijay also hit out at the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), terming it a "slave alliance".
"Having power in hand and to cheat people, you have a fascist BJP slave alliance," Vijay said, adding, "TVK is not a party that makes underground deals, forges alliances, and cheats the people. We are not afraid of anyone. The people of Tamil Nadu, the women, and the youth stand with us."
Intensifying his attack, the TVK chief took a jibe at the opposition AIADMK over its condition in the state while remaining firm on his criticism against the BJP.
"Do you know who MGR is? As long as he was alive, no one could even dream of occupying the Chief Minister's chair. Look at the state of the party that MGR founded today. Its innocent cadres are suffering in silence, unable to express their pain openly. No matter what disguise the BJP puts on, it will never succeed in Tamil Nadu," Vijay said.
Accusing Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of being in a secret alliance with the BJP, the actor-turned-politician lambasted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the law and order situation in the state.
"Uncle Stalin, if you have a conscience, please answer the questions we are asking. In the government you are running, is there honesty? Is it free from corruption? Is law and order being maintained properly? Are women and the general public safe? Tell us, my dear uncle, tell us," Vijay said.
"DMK government is secretly maintaining ties with the BJP. When DMK is in the opposition, they shout 'Go back Modi!' but once they are in power, (they) welcome Modi. DMK has a secret alliance with the BJP. Does drama as if they are opposing the BJP," he added.
Meanwhile, TVK's Aadhav Arjuna, who is also the General Secretary for Election Campaign Management, also attacked the AIADMK over "losing their way" from the ideas of MGR and Jayalalitha.
"AIADMK is making efforts to allow the BJP to enter Tamil Nadu by the back door," he added.
Attacking MK Stalin, Arjuna said, "In 2026, TVK will initiate a youth revolution, with Vijay as Chief Minister, who can fulfil Anna's ideas. Chief Minister M K Stalin failed to fulfil Anna's ideology. He has left the path of Aringnar Anna."
This comes as Vijay intends to present his party, TVK, as a third front in Tamil Nadu politics, an alternative to both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK. The TVK will be contesting the Tamil Nadu assembly elections for the first time since its founding in 2024. The state elections are scheduled to be held in 2026.