With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approaching, Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Monday filed his nomination from Perambur and Trichy East constituencies.
Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, covering a total of 234 constituencies in the state. The count is scheduled for May 4.
A day earlier, Vijay had unveiled the party’s manifesto for the upcoming elections, promising to set up “anti-drug protection zones” and provide monthly assistance to students.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Vijay reiterated his vision of a drug-free and self-reliant Tamil Nadu. He said anti-drug protection zones “will be established in all schools and colleges across the state.” “Our primary goal is to create a drug-free Tamil Nadu,” he asserted.
He also confirmed that all government tests will be conducted on time without delay.
Vijay announced a monthly assistance of Rs $4000 for graduates and $2000 for diploma holders.
Explaining his broader vision, he said: “Our long-term goal is to transform young people from job seekers into job creators.” He promised a “local employment for local people” scheme, noting that steps would be taken to ensure that 75 per cent of jobs in Tamil Nadu are given to Tamils.
Moreover, Vijay unveiled the ‘Creative Entrepreneur Plan’ which aims to transform Tamil Nadu into a global hub for creatives. Under this initiative, efforts will be made to develop 1.5 lakh creative people into entrepreneurs, besides setting up 500 innovation schools across the state.
The main electoral contest in the state is expected to be between the secular progressive alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which also includes Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the AIADMK with the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) as allies.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay is making his election debut with TVK, in a bid to turn the upcoming elections into a three-way contest.
Vijay will face DMK sitting MLA RD Shekar, who will contest from Perambur. He is also facing MLA and DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj in Trichy East. (that I)
