C Joseph Vijay, widely known as Thalapathy, is the founder and president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party and is a prominent candidate in the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. After a successful career as a cinema superstar, he entered politics in 2024, declaring his commitment to serve the public. For the elections on April 23, he is contesting from two seats: Perambur in Chennai and Trichy East, branding his party as a 'pure force' against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which he describes as an 'evil force.' His campaign is marked by a focus on youth welfare, drug eradication, and government exam reforms, promising ₹4,000 monthly assistance for graduates and ₹2,500 for women. Despite being a newcomer, Vijay has faced legal challenges, including a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into a 2025 stampede at his rally in Karur, which resulted in 41 fatalities. His personal life has also been in the spotlight, with his wife filing for divorce amid allegations of political sabotage. Vijay aims to replicate the success of legendary actor-politician M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), refusing alliances with major parties to maintain his party's independence.