00:13In a result that could redraw Tamil Nadu's political map, a stunning projection has just
00:19shaken the state's political establishment. An Access My India exit poll has projected a
00:25dramatic debut for actor-turned-politician Vijay's TVK. According to the projections, TVK could win
00:32between 98 to 120 seats in the 234-member assembly. That puts the party directly alongside the DMK-led
00:42alliance, which is projected at 92 to 110 seats. Meanwhile, the NDA alliance trails far behind
00:50with just 22 to 32 seats. This is not the rise of a spoiler. This is the emergence of a
00:58serious
00:58contender. Pollster Pradeep Gupta didn't hold back. He compared Vijay's rise to legends like
01:06MG Ramachandran in Tamil Nadu and NT Rama Rao in Andhra Pradesh. The numbers get even more striking
01:13when you look at the vote share. TVK is pecked at around 35%. That's on par with the ruling DMK
01:21alliance. And far ahead of the AIA-DMK-led alliance, which lags at roughly 23%. So where is this
01:29surge coming from? The answer? Tamil Nadu's youngest voters.
01:36A massive 68% of first-time voters aged 18-19 are backing TVK. Among voters aged 20-29, support
01:47stands at 59%. Even in the 30-39 bracket, TVK commands 45% support. No other party comes close
01:57in these segments. Students, unemployed youth, urban voters. They are all rallying behind
02:04Vijay. And at the heart of this surge lies a single word. Change. Around 35% of voters say
02:12their primary motivation is the desire for change. But among TVK supporters, that number skyrockets
02:19to 77%. This is not just political support. It's a movement driven by dissatisfaction.
02:27And then there's the Vijay Factor. A significant section of voters say they are backing TVK
02:33because of him. It's a powerful mix of charisma, celebrity appeal, and the anti-incumbency sentiment.
02:41What makes this surge even more remarkable is its breadth. TVK is cutting across caste and class
02:47barriers. The party has made inroads among OBC communities, SC voters, minorities, and across
02:54both urban and rural segments. This is not a narrow vote bank. This is a broad-based coalition.
03:01TVK's strength is most visible in urban constituencies. But its message is now resonating in rural Tamil Nadu
03:09as well. And here's where it gets even tighter. In the race for Chief Minister, Vijay leads with 37%
03:16support,
03:17just ahead of incumbent Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who stands at 35%.
03:23For a first-time entrant? That's a massive political shift.
03:28So what does this mean for Tamil Nadu politics?
03:31For decades, the state has been dominated by a bipolar contest.
03:35But now that equation could break. The DMK retains its base but faces a powerful challenger.
03:43The AIA DMK appears squeezed out of the main contest. And TVK? TVK has emerged as a third force
03:51and possibly much more. If these projections hold true, TVK could become the largest party.
03:59It could play kingmaker in a fractured mandate. Or it could establish itself as a long-term political
04:05force. Of course, exit polls come with caution. Tamil Nadu has a history of defying predictions.
04:11But one trend is unmistakable. Vijay is no longer just a new entrant.
04:16He is now at the very centre of Tamil Nadu's political battle.
04:28Thank you very much.
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