In Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay, chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), rallied behind the local fishing community on Saturday. He blasted the state government for ignoring the district’s urgent development needs, vowing to fight for fishermen’s rights at a huge public gathering.
Vijay called Nagapattinam a place close to his heart and promised to always stand as a true friend to its fishermen. “This is Tamil Nadu’s second-largest fishing export hub, but it still doesn’t have modern fish-processing plants or industrial setups that could create jobs and boost livelihoods,” he pointed out, highlighting the missed opportunities in this key coastal area.
He didn’t hold back on the DMK government’s handling of attacks by the Sri Lankan navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen. Vijay stressed solidarity with Sri Lankan Tamils, saying their lives matter just as much as our fishermen’s. “I’ve spoken about the reasons for these attacks and possible solutions before—it’s my duty to support them,” he said, recalling a public meeting in Nagapattinam 14 years ago that condemned the incidents. He insisted his comments aren’t criminal; they’re a voice for the suffering.
Dismissing the ruling party’s boasts about development under their rule, Vijay asked the crowd, “Haven’t people suffered enough? I’m tired of hearing the same empty promises.” He pushed for action on several fronts: building modern fish-processing plants and industries, regularizing prawn farms that have hurt local agriculture, protecting coastal villages from erosion, and boosting afforestation to save mangrove forests.
Vijay also called for reliable drinking water, including better distribution of Cauvery water, and suggested setting up a marine college in this sea-dependent region. He highlighted the need to promote salt-export facilities at Vedaranayagam and criticized the lack of any fishing-related industries. On healthcare, he flagged the doctor shortage at the local government hospital and demanded fixes.
Infrastructure woes came under fire too—Vijay urged quick cleaning and upgrades to the new bus terminus, faster progress on stalled railway projects, reopening closed factories like the steel-rolling mill and railway box units, and repairing coastal roads and bridges, including the long-delayed Melakkottai bridge.
He accused the state administration of prioritizing private and foreign investments that only benefit a handful of families, not the wider Tamil Nadu community. Taking aim at Chief Minister MK Stalin’s foreign trips, Vijay questioned, “Every time you go abroad, you come back smiling about billions in investments. Be honest, CM—did you attract these for our state, or for your family’s interests?”
Explaining the weekend timing of the rally, Vijay said it was to avoid disrupting daily life. He apologized to folks in nearby Perambalur for any inconvenience and promised a visit soon. “I don’t want any disturbances when I meet you—that’s why we picked the weekend,” he added.
As TVK gears up for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections—evolving from Vijay’s earlier Vijay Makkal Iyakkam platform—he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the people. Despite opponents’ attempts to block his meetings with restrictions like time limits or venue denials, Vijay declared, “If they stop us, I’ll go straight to the people and ask for permission. I’ll follow their call.”
Wrapping up on an optimistic note, Vijay urged supporters to stay strong: “Good things are coming. Victory is certain.”
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