Vijay boasts of Rs 15,000 crore investments after BJP's 'pleasure UK tour' jab
The ruling TVK said Chief Minister Vijay secured investments worth Rs 15,300 crore as the actor-politician's first official foreign visit to London triggered a massive political controversy in Tamil Nadu. Amid allegations by the opposition that Vijay's six-day London trip was a "pleasure tour", the TVK has released a detailed list of investments secured by the Chief Minister, who returned to Chennai on Thursday.
The TVK said Vijay also secured commitments to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for Tamil Nadu. It underlined that the visit was aimed at transitioning Tamil Nadu into a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2036. The statement said the MoUs and LoIs (Letters of Intent) covered auto parts, R&D, renewable energy, power-grid equipment and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).TVK LISTS INVESTMENTS, JOBS
The TVK said Samvardhana Motherson International, along with partners from Europe and the UK, will invest Rs 11,000 crore in manufacturing, logistics and assembly. The investment is expected to create around 7,000 jobs.
Sweden-based Sigma Technology Group will expand its GCC operations in Tiruchirappalli and Chennai, creating 600 jobs, the TVK outlined. Ernst and Young also signed an MoU to establish a Rs 1,000-crore GCC, which is expected to create more than 2,000 high-value jobs.
Moreover, UK-based Wilson Power Solutions signed an MoU to invest Rs 300 crore in Tiruvallur district to manufacture energy-efficient transformers. The project is expected to create around 400 jobs.
Vijay's visit, the TVK said, was also driven by his aim to make Tamil Nadu a global destination for motorsport.VIJAY'S MOTORSPORT PUSH
Speaking in the Assembly earlier this month, Vijay announced plans to establish a world-class Olympic City in Chennai, along with a dedicated Motor Sports City to host Formula 1 races.
Against this backdrop, the TVK said Vijay visited the Silverstone Circuit in the UK. "CM Vijay inspected the Silverstone Circuit's race control centre, race track, and safety systems," the statement said.
Actor and racer Ajith Kumar also assisted Vijay in understanding the circuit's operations. Vijay later flagged off the 2026 Michelin Le Mans Cup, where Ajith participated as a racer. Actor Trisha was also spotted at the race.OPPN SLAMS VIJAY'S 'PLEASURE TOUR'
However, the opposition DMK, which has previously mocked Vijay's London visit as a trip to watch a car race, was not convinced. In a sharply worded post on X, former Tamil Nadu minister Dr TRB Rajaa demanded that Vijay hold a press conference to explain the investment details.
"Out of the announced investment of Rs 15,300 crore, how much new investment was attracted? How much is the expansion of companies already operating in Tamil Nadu? When did negotiations with each company begin? When and where will the investment be implemented? When will the announced jobs be created?" the DMK leader tweeted.
Former chief minister MK Stalin also attacked Vijay, alleging that he was "busy shooting in London" while Tamil Nadu was facing several issues. Stalin alleged that the state was grappling with a power shortage, while fishermen were protesting in Pattinapakkam.
Earlier this week, the DMK mouthpiece 'Murasoli' alleged that Vijay "suddenly took off on his own" without the usual preparatory discussions involving ministers and officials, The Print reported.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran described Vijay's London visit as a mere "pleasure tour".
"It is a complete lie that Chief Minister Vijay brought investments to Tamil Nadu. They are pointing out already existing companies as new industrial investments," Nagendran said.TVK RAISES STALIN'S OXFORD VISIT
Hitting back at the DMK, the TVK's IT wing alleged that the previous regime used taxpayers' money for luxury foreign trips as well as for visits by the "entire family".
It also raked up MK Stalin's 2025 visit to Oxford University, where he unveiled a portrait of social reformer Periyar. The TVK claimed the DMK booked a private venue in advance and staged a photo-op under the guise of unveiling Periyar's statue.
