Chennai, April 20 The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Monday urged the Election Commission of India to take action against superstar and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam supremo Vijay for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his recent campaign trail in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchy.
CPI-M State Secretary P. Shanmugam, in a post on X, alleged that Vijay breached election norms by visiting places of worship and engaging in activities that could be construed as seeking votes while displaying political identity.
He noted that the MCC strictly prohibits candidates from soliciting votes within religious institutions such as temples, churches, and mosques, or using such spaces for political messaging.
Calling the alleged violation serious, Shanmugam urged the poll panel to register a case against Vijay and initiate appropriate action to ensure a level playing field during the ongoing Assembly election campaign. He maintained that any deviation from the MCC undermines the integrity of the electoral process and sets a concerning precedent.
The controversy follows Vijay’s visits to multiple religious sites in Tiruchy on Sunday as part of his campaign outreach. His first stop was St Antony’s Church on Wireless Road, where he offered prayers in a deeply symbolic gesture, reportedly crawling on his knees along the aisle. He later interacted briefly with the parish priest before continuing his visit. Vijay then proceeded to Noorul Hudha Mosque in K.K. Nagar, where he offered prayers and sought blessings from clerics. His final visit was to the Pachanachiyamman temple in Kottapattu, where he prostrated before the deity, completing a sequence of visits that reflected outreach across different faiths.
The TVK leader is contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from both Perambur and Tiruchy East constituencies, positioning himself as a key challenger in the multi-cornered contest.
While his visits drew attention for their religious inclusivity, they have also sparked political criticism and legal scrutiny over adherence to election norms.
The Election Commission has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
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