As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approach on April 23, 2026, actor-politician Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is contesting from two significant constituencies: Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli East. This move has turned both constituencies into high-stakes battlegrounds due to Vijay's popularity and the high concentration of working-class voters and Christians in these areas. His campaign strategy has drawn comparisons to past leaders, including J Jayalalithaa, who successfully contested from multiple seats in the past. DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin has publicly mocked Vijay's decision, asserting that their candidate, Inigo Irudayaraj, is the true contender in Tiruchirappalli East. Despite the criticism, TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna defended Vijay, claiming a 'Vijay wave' is sweeping across Tamil Nadu. The contest is particularly notable as Perambur has the largest electorate among Chennai's constituencies, with 222,792 voters, while Tiruchirappalli East has 217,397 voters. The elections are expected to be closely contested, with various candidates from different parties vying for these influential seats.