TVK chief, actor-politician Vijay's first poll campaign address lost in audio glitch, supporters allege DMK conspiracy

TVK chief and actor Vijay in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay's address from atop his campaign vehicle in Tiruchirappalli on Saturday was marred by audio issues and out of his 20-minute speech, barely one to two minutes was audible and clear. TVK cadres, fans and on-lookers who had gathered in thousands chanted 'Vijay, Vijay' as his speech became almost incomprehensible barring some remarks, words and points.

Vijay asked, "Will you vote for the DMK?," after raising a number of questions seeking to push the Chief Minister M K Stalin-led government to a tight corner.

When Vijay began his speech by 3 PM, he outlined the significance of choosing Tiruchirappalli for his maiden rally.

He said that it was here that Dravidian icon, DMK founder CN Annadurai decided in 1956 to enter the electoral race.

It was here that AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran held his first state conference in 1974 after launching his party in 1972.

Tiruchirappali was renowned also for communal harmony and rationalist leader 'Periyar' EV Ramasamy lived here.

During the days of yore, before going to battlefield, kings used to pray to their family deities. Similarly, Vijay said he has visited Tiruchirappalli.

Any political initiative, when started in Tiruchirappalli, would eventually become a turning point, he said.

The actor-politician said, "In the old days, before going to war, people would pray to God and then step into the battlefield. Similarly, before facing the 2026 assembly elections, I too went to a temple to seek blessings. If you start anything in Trichy district, it becomes a turning point. History itself has examples- former chief minister CN Annadurai contested his first election in Trichy in 1936, and former chief minister and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran held his first conference here. Trichy has always been the starting point for change."

Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu: TVK chief and actor Vijay says, "In the old days, before going to war, people would pray to God and then step into the battlefield. Similarly, before facing the 2026 assembly elections, I too went to a temple to seek blessings. If you start anything… pic.twitter.com/TwlkPYKQA4

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2025

After the technical glitches disrupted Vijay’s campaign speech, his supporters alleged that it could be a conspiracy by the DMK.

VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: Technical glitches reportedly disrupted TVK Vijay’s campaign speech in Trichy, with his supporters alleging a conspiracy by the DMK.#TVKVijay #VijayTrichyCampaign

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/03PzctTTMh

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 13, 2025

Meanwhile, the party acknowledged that the technical glitch led to audio issues. TVK said that the issue has been addressed and that the chief's speech could be hereafter heard clearly.

One of his key accusation was that the DMK government did not fulfill its assurances made ahead of the 2021 Assembly election. He also hit out at the DMK regime over the illegal kidney sale racket.

Clad in white shirt, Vijay delivered his address from a raised platform-like structure on the top of the campaign bus and cadres continuously flung party flags at him.

(With PTI inputs)