Piyush Goyal plays down Vijay's impact on Tamil Nadu election: 'An upstart without any organisational backing...'

Union minister Piyush Goyal at Rising Bharat Summit 2026

Dismissed any impact of actor Vijay in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election, Union minister and BJP's state election in-charge said that “film stars have come and gone”.

During a Rising Bharat conversation with CNN-News18’s Rahul Shivshankar, the Union minister said, “He (Vijay) is a good actor, but if he has self annointed himself as the CM...an upstart without any organisational backing is not going to be a winner”.

On Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and his prospects and statement that he would be “a king not the kingmaker", Goyal said, "Everybody is entitled to a glorified view of their own self. He is a good, popular actor… film stars have had high rating of himself."

Goyal also gave the example of how actor Kamal Haasan thought he will storm Tamil Nadu, he got less than 2% votes. "He (Haasan) couldn’t get into double digits…MGR or Jayalalithaa were in established parties. They had an established career for years before they became the CM. An upstart, without any organisational backing, is not going to be a winner. Something like that was said in Bihar too, but did he win?"

Goyal also said there is no possibility of the BJP entering an alliance with Vijay's party.

“I don’t see any tie-up happening with him. If he had good sense, he would have known he can’t be the CM…I have never met him, I don’t know him, but our doors are always open for good, well-meaning people…," said Goyal.

If asked Vijay ticks those boxes, Goyal said, “We will have to examine if he approaches us."

Tamil Nadu politics has long been dominated by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Vijay’s entry is expected to fragment the traditional Dravidian vote base, especially among younger and urban voters.

Goyal further expressed confidence about the BJP’s prospects in Tamil Nadu as part of the AIADMK-led NDA alliance, claiming that the ruling DMK is facing strong anti-incumbency. "Tamil Nadu wants a change. Palaniswami will be the next CM," he said.