Even as Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has repeatedly instructed party cadres to avoid banner culture and public displays that inconvenience citizens, large banners and posters celebrating his birthday have surfaced across Chennai, even ahead of June 22, raising questions about the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s commitment to its own promises of political change.
Massive banners carrying images of Vijay have been erected in several parts of the city, including near Foreshore Estate in Chennai.
TVK cadres have put up banners to celeberate the birthday of their leader and TN CM C. Joseph Vijay on the 22nd of June, near Foreshore Estate, Chennai. @businessline @TVKVijayHQ @BussyAnand @AadhavArjuna @AdvocateVenkatP @cmotamilnadu pic.twitter.com/d0dr5xUy81
— Bijoy Ghosh (@bijoyghosh70) June 20, 2026
Similar displays have also appeared in other localities as party workers prepare to celebrate the Chief Minister’s birthday.
Huge banners, posters across city. @TVKVijayHQ @CMOTamilnadu @AadhavArjuna no respect for public? Is the promised change??? pic.twitter.com/f7EQJ4U2Wo
— Chennai Updates (@UpdatesChennai) June 21, 2026
Posters were also seen plastered on the wall just outside the Chennai airport.
This is Right outside Chennai airport. I clicked today. There is big posters and banners everywhere in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/f9Bb1oyRv6
— Sam (@TriailBlazer) June 21, 2026
The development comes in stark contrast to the position repeatedly articulated by Vijay since assuming office. Soon after becoming Chief Minister, Vijay sought to distance TVK from Tamil Nadu’s long-standing culture of giant banners, cut-outs and road-blocking political celebrations that have frequently drawn public criticism.
The Chief Minister had directed party functionaries not to erect banners, hoardings or similar structures for birthdays, family events or political programmes in public spaces, roadsides and crowded areas. The party leadership had also warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those violating the directive and stressed that public convenience should not be compromised under any circumstances.
The issue carries particular significance in Tamil Nadu due to the tragic death of Subashri in 2019. The young woman was killed after a political banner collapsed onto a road and caused a fatal accident while she was riding a two-wheeler. The incident triggered widespread outrage and prompted repeated interventions from the Madras High Court, which has since consistently cautioned political parties against erecting banners and structures that pose risks to public safety.
Against this backdrop, TVK General Secretary and Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand recently reiterated the party’s official position during a meeting of TVK MLAs, district secretaries and office-bearers at the party headquarters in Panaiyur.
However, even as the leadership was reiterating those instructions, posters celebrating Vijay’s birthday appeared in the MEPZ area of Tambaram. Reports also indicated that a stage had been erected by occupying a portion of a public road for a birthday-related event attended by Minister and Tambaram MLA Ghilli Sharath.
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