Vijay's TVK Party Sees Rush for Election Tickets: 50,000 Forms Issued, But Fewer Than 1,000 Returned

With barely months to go for the Assembly battle, the fledgling outfit Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has shifted into election mode, triggering an early churn within its ranks. What began as a routine call for applications has now snowballed into a test of organisational depth and political management for actor-turned-politician Vijay.

The party formally opened the distribution of “aspirant forms” on February 6, inviting office-bearers and youth functionaries keen to contest the forthcoming Assembly election to register their interest. Within an hour of the counters opening, party sources said nearly 10,000 forms were picked up in a rush that left the headquarters scrambling to manage the crowd. So far, more than 50,000 forms have reportedly been issued.

However, the initial enthusiasm has not translated into confirmed applications. As per the party’s notification, completed forms must be submitted at the headquarters by February 20 along with a security deposit — unofficially said to range between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000 depending on the constituency. Despite claims of having enrolled over a crore members, fewer than 1,000 completed applications are understood to have been returned within the stipulated time. In several constituencies, the average number of confirmed applicants is said to be less than two.

The tepid response at the submission stage has set off discussions within political circles. Thousands collected the forms but stopped short of filing them, suggesting either hesitation over the financial condition or uncertainty over the selection process.

Inside the party, the bigger question now is how the leadership intends to shortlist candidates from among the aspirants. According to sources, the party’s general secretary recently held a video interaction with legislators and district in-charges, acknowledging the logistical challenge of interviewing thousands of hopefuls. They were asked to recommend two or three names per constituency for consideration, effectively placing the first filter in the hands of local leadership.

Even as second-rung leaders expected a structured interview process before the final announcement, a fresh development has stirred speculation. Party insiders claim that Vijay has already cleared around 80 names as part of a first-phase list. The move, they say, mirrors the centralised style once associated with former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, where the leadership retained tight control over ticket distribution.

The tentative shortlist is learnt to reflect a mix of caste representation and lateral entrants from other parties, including individuals who previously held organisational posts at the district and union levels. While there is no official confirmation yet, the buzz within the party headquarters suggests that the first batch of candidates could be unveiled by Vijay himself on February 28.

Further, preparations are reportedly under way for a large-scale public meeting in the second week of March, where all 234 candidates may be introduced on a single stage — an event the party hopes will signal its readiness to take on established players in Tamil Nadu’s bipolar political arena.

Whether the early rush for forms converts into electoral muscle remains to be seen. For now, the spotlight is firmly on how Vijay balances popular enthusiasm with organisational discipline as TVK steps into its first full-fledged Assembly contest.