Vijay’s PM Appeal Strongest in Northeast, India Today-CVoter Survey Reveals

New Delhi, August 28, 2026: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay has emerged as a notable name in the national prime ministerial race, with an unexpected regional trend placing him strongest in the Northeast, according to the August 2026 India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation survey. 

C Joseph Vijay

The survey shows that 18.5 per cent of respondents in the Northeast consider Vijay the most suitable choice to become India’s next Prime Minister. His support in the region is significantly higher than the 14.3 per cent recorded in the South, his home region.

At the national level, Vijay receives 9.2 per cent support, placing him third among the preferred prime ministerial choices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the list with 48.7 per cent, followed by Rahul Gandhi with 27.1 per cent.

Vijay’s regional performance becomes particularly striking when compared with other parts of the country. His support stands at 9.6 per cent in the East, 8.5 per cent in the West and just 4.6 per cent in the North.

The figures are noteworthy because Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), does not have a significant organisational presence in the Northeast. His relatively strong support there therefore raises questions about the factors behind his growing national appeal.

Vijay entered electoral politics with the launch of TVK in 2024 and subsequently became Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after the party came to power in 2026. His supporters have increasingly projected him as a potential national leader ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha election.

The survey also places Vijay in a strong position among Opposition leadership choices. When respondents were asked who would be best suited to lead an Opposition alliance, 12.2 per cent chose Vijay, putting him behind Rahul Gandhi at 29 per cent but ahead of several established regional leaders.

The Mood of the Nation survey was conducted by CVoter, with 25,184 respondents directly surveyed between July 1 and August 25, alongside 91,795 interviews from regular tracking conducted over the previous six months.

While the findings do not necessarily indicate an established nationwide political base for Vijay, they offer an early indication that his appeal may extend beyond Tamil Nadu and the southern states.