In a strong political statement on Wednesday, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party of being consumed by an “arrogance of power” and launching a desperate smear campaign against his party.

Vijay alleged that the DMK, fearing the rising popularity of TVK among the public, has resorted to its longstanding politics of slander.

Vijay described the DMK as a party that has made defamation its political philosophy since 1969, guided by corruption and deceit, and accused it of making opposition to TVK its sole agenda.

He highlighted how the ruling party views TVK’s grassroots movement, which has gained widespread public support, as a threat. He said the DMK was misinterpreting mild, civil criticism from TVK as political attacks, which has unsettled the ruling party.

Vijay mocked DMK leaders for their claim that no one could topple their government and criticized them for abandoning their purported commitment to Tamil ideals and social justice, pointing out their refusal to conduct a caste census.