TVK supporters blow whistles and hold ‘next PM’ placards for Vijay during Modi’s IIT‑Madras speech

TVK whistles at Modi’s IIT‑Madras speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was delivering an official address on the IIT‑Madras campus on Sunday when a group of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) supporters began blowing whistles – the party’s election symbol – and waving placards with the image of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The chants erupted each time Vijay’s name was mentioned, and the slogans on the posters read “Next PM”.

Police asked the cadre to stop, and they briefly complied before resuming the whistles and cheers later in the speech.

Who is C Joseph Vijay?

C Joseph Vijay, popularly known as actor Vijay, is the chief minister of Tamil Nadu and the founder of TVK, a regional party that has been gaining traction ahead of the next general election. His transition from screen idol to political heavyweight has sparked both enthusiasm and anxiety across the state, especially as his supporters publicly project his ambitions for national leadership.

What the disruption looked like

The TVK cadre were seated in the last row of the audience. When Modi mentioned Vijay’s recent visits to a temple with the prime minister – a meeting that has already drawn national attention – the cadre blew their whistles in unison, a sound that echoed through the auditorium. Alongside the whistles, several placards displayed Vijay’s photograph with the caption “Next PM”. The disturbance continued even as Modi spoke about development projects in Tamil Nadu, prompting security personnel to intervene.

Reactions and implications

The brief interruption highlighted a growing friction between the central government and the newly‑elected TVK administration. While the police’s request was obeyed for a few minutes, the cadre’s return to the whistles suggested a deliberate signal to the audience – and to the nation – that Vijay’s political aspirations are far from modest.

Political analysts note that such public displays are rare in formal central‑state events, where protocol usually curtails overt campaigning. The episode may signal an increasingly assertive stance by TVK, which is positioning Vijay as a national contender ahead of the 2029 general elections.

No official comment was released by the Prime Minister’s Office or the TVK headquarters at the time of writing.

---The incident adds a new layer to the already complex relationship between the Modi government and Tamil Nadu’s leadership, and it could shape how future joint events are managed.