TVK
Vijay's TVK makes Bengal entry: First party office opens in Purba Bardhaman amid state's political shake-up
Kolkata/IBNS: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the actor-turned-politician who entered electoral politics with a new party, has opened his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)'s first office in West Bengal.
The TVK opened its office in Purba Bardhaman district on Sunday, marking the beginning of its organisational activities in the state.
The party's West Bengal state coordinator Chaitali Roy and other party leaders were reportedly present at the inauguration.
TVK focuses on social work in Bengal
The party leadership said its immediate focus in West Bengal would be on reaching out to people through social and welfare activities rather than political programmes.
"Instructions came from Tamil Nadu to connect with common people through welfare activities in states where the party organisation is being formed.
"Following that directive, social work is being given priority in the initial phase of organisational expansion in West Bengal as well," Roy said, as quoted by The Statesman.
The party has also begun organisational activities in Purba Bardhaman, while it is yet to establish a presence in neighbouring Birbhum, Bankura and Purulia districts, according to the report.
BJP's first government in Bengal
The development comes months after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, in which the BJP won 207 of the 293 seats for which results were declared, while the All India Trinamool Congress won 80 seats, according to the Election Commission of India.
The election marked a major change in the state's political landscape, with the BJP emerging as the largest party in the Assembly.
TMC faces factional split
The BJP's electoral victory was followed by an internal dispute within the Trinamool Congress, with rival factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy claiming control of the party.
The Election Commission subsequently barred both factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and the 'Flowers & Grass' symbol for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls.
The poll panel later allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the 'football player' symbol to the Mamata Banerjee-led faction, while the rival faction was allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the 'envelope' symbol for the bypolls.
Against this backdrop, the TVK's decision to begin organisational activities in West Bengal adds another political organisation to the state's evolving post-election landscape.
Vijay's Tamil Nadu success
Vijay's TVK made a strong electoral debut in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with the actor-turned-politician emerging as a major new force in the state's politics.
The party's performance propelled Vijay to power on his first electoral outing, marking his transition from cinema to governance.
The result marked a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's long-standing Dravidian political landscape, with TVK falling a few seats short of the majority mark but subsequently forming the government with the support of the Congress and others.
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