In a significant minority outreach ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Vijay addressed a Christmas gathering in Mahabalipuram. Emphasizing the importance of communal harmony, Vijay stated, ‘That is why we even named our ideology as Secular Ideology.’ He narrated a Bible story about a king betrayed by his brothers who later saved them, drawing parallels to his own political journey and resilience. ‘In jealous of him, but he fought against everything and he became the king of a country,’ Vijay remarked, alluding to challenges faced by his party. India Today’s Senior Editor Pramod Madhav reports that the event, attended by over 1,500 people, is seen as a strategic move to connect with the Christian community amidst the ongoing Deepam row in the state. The report highlights the political nuances of Vijay’s speech as he positions his party against rivals like the DMK and AIADMK.