Tamil actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) passed several resolutions on Sunday during its executive council meeting. One of the resolutions opposed the Centre's 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. Passing the resolution against the 'ONOP' proposal, the TVK said it was against the principles of democracy. 'One Nation, One Poll' was approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this year in September. ONOP was one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. A panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind submitted the report to President Droupadi Murmu in March ahead of the announcement of Lok Sabha elections.
The report was cleared shortly after it was placed before the Cabinet. Placing the report was a part of the law ministry's 100-day agenda.
The high-level committee had recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days. Simultaneous polls will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion, deepen "foundations of democratic rubric" and help realise the aspirations of "India, that is Bharat", the panel had said.
The panel had also recommended the preparation of a common electoral roll and voter ID cards by the Election Commission of India in consultation with state election authorities. At present, the Election Commission of India is responsible for the Lok Sabha and assembly polls, while polls for municipalities and panchayats are managed by state election commissions.
One Nation, One Election Not Practical: Congress
The Congress, too, has been opposed to the ONOP proposal, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge saying that it was not practical. He alleged that the BJP comes up with such things to divert attention from real issues when elections approach. "It is not practical. It will not work. When elections come, and they are not getting any issues to raise, then they divert attention from real issues."
TVK's Other Resolutions
The TVK also called for the withdrawal of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Tamil Nadu. TVK criticised the DMK government for not conducting a caste survey in the state, accusing it of "blaming the Centre" for the delay. The party also condemned the DMK's campaign promises, with TVK stating they were "filled with lies to come to power".
On October 27, Vijay held his first political rally in Villupuram, where he announced his party’s ideology and goals, including a commitment to equality, social justice, secularism, making Tamil the language of administration in courts, and abolishing the post of Governor. He described his party's approach as rooted in both Dravidianism and Tamil nationalism, referring to them as "the two eyes of our soil."
Rather than confining TVK's identity to a single faction, Vijay said that the party ideology was based on broader secular values based on justice, unity, and societal development.
Vijay also announced that TVK would contest the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.