Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 22 (ANI): AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan on Friday said that actor-turned-politician Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is 'struggling to position himself', a day after the party held its second state conference in Madurai.

Calling TVK a 'toddler', Sathyan remarked that the party has a long way to go before it can be considered a serious political contender for the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections.

'TVK is a toddler and it has just learnt to sit and it has to crawl, walk and then run. With yesterday's rally, it is clear that Vijay is struggling to position himself and his party... No vision or ideology was stated yesterday. The leader who should share his dream and vision was missing. He was just criticising other parties...' Sathyan told ANI.

'They are still scrambling to position themselves and their party in the minds of the people; that is the reason they are compelled to make statements as such against the parties who are in power at the centre and state...,' he added.

Earlier on Thursday, TVK chief and actor Vijay addressed a conference for party workers in Madurai.

The TVK president held the party's second state conference in Madurai, marked by a massive show of strength as party workers gathered in large numbers to participate in the rally.

During his address, the TVK president accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of maintaining a 'secret alliance' with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and questioned Chief Minister MK Stalin over the law and order situation in the state.

'Uncle Stalin, if you have a conscience, please answer the questions we are asking. In the government you are running, is there honesty? Is it free from corruption? Is law and order being maintained properly? Are women and the general public safe? Tell us, my dear uncle, tell us,' Vijay said.

'DMK government is secretly maintaining ties with the BJP. When DMK is in the opposition, they shout 'Go back Modi!' but once they are in power, (they) welcome Modi. DMK has a secret alliance with the BJP. Does drama as if they are opposing the BJP,' he added.

Vijay intends to present his party, TVK, as a third front in Tamil Nadu politics, an alternative to both the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). (ANI)