Prashant Kishor Joins Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam as 'Special Adviser' for 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

In a major political move, prominent election strategist Prashant Kishor has been made the ‘special adviser’ to actor Vijay’s political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as the state is gearing up for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. The partnership seeks to use the strategic skills of Kishor to give a boost to TVK’s chances in the forthcoming elections.

The Strategic Alliance

Prashant Kishor, who is renowned for his masterminding of winning election campaigns in India, had a meeting with actor and TVK leader Vijay in Chennai. In their three-hour meeting, they discussed the political scenario in Tamil Nadu and the country, and how to improve TVK’s performance in elections. One of the sources, who was in the meeting, said, “The meeting was extremely warm. Kishor discussed his strategic experience. The discussions drifted to the political situation in Tamil Nadu and at the national level. Kishor will be a ‘special adviser’ to TVK, though no technical formal agreements will be signed.”.

Prashant Kishor's Political Acumen

Kishor’s reputation as a master strategist is already well-established. He was the key figure behind the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) win in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections after a decade of absence from power. His strategic advice and novel campaign approaches have been key factors in determining electoral results, which has made him a much sought-after adviser among political circles.

Vijay's Political Aspirations

Vijay, one of the pillars of Tamil films, stepped into politics by initiating TVK. His entry created significant interest because of his immense fan base and influence. The political foray of Vijay started with reconstituting his fan association, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, into a political organisation. The entity gained significant strength by winning 115 seats during the 2021 local body elections. In February 2024, Vijay formally launched TVK, announcing his plan to concentrate on the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with a view to ushering “fundamental political change” in the state.

Political Reactions and Implications

The partnership of Kishor and Vijay has received mixed reactions from the political players of Tamil Nadu. The incumbent DMK and others have played down the importance of this partnership. DMK stalwart and Minister P.K. Sekar Babu said it is normal for parties to make claims of electoral prowess, asserting that the people are ready to reelect Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Concomitantly, DMK stalwart Kanimozhi underlined that Kishor is a professional advisor providing services to different parties and that the DMK is relying on the labour of its cadres under Stalin’s guidance.

TVK's Strategic Focus

In the run-up to the 2026 elections, TVK has been busy organizing and consolidating its organizational base. The party recently inducted district secretaries and office bearers in 19 districts, including Coimbatore, Salem, and Erode. A four-day party functionary meeting was organized to plan and coordinate efforts towards the next electoral fight.

Conclusion

The entry of Prashant Kishor and Vijay’s TVK into the partnership is a significant development in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu. With the 2026 Assembly elections looming large, this union aims to use Kishor’s strategic strength and Vijay’s popularity to make a considerable difference. Tamil Nadu’s politics is in for an interesting contest, with the entry of TVK adding a new angle to the electoral matrix of the state.