The ruling TVK has announced that Chief Minister Vijay secured investments totalling Rs 15,300 crore during his recent visit to London. This trip, described as his first official foreign engagement, has led to significant political controversy in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties labelling it a mere “pleasure tour”. Following his return to Chennai on Thursday, the TVK released a comprehensive list of investments and employment commitments made during the visit.

Among the initiatives detailed by the TVK is a commitment to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for the state. The investment agreements encompass sectors such as auto parts, research and development, renewable energy, power-grid equipment, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). This ambitious effort is part of a larger strategy to transform Tamil Nadu into a USD 1.5 trillion economy by the year 2036.

Notable mentions in the investment announcements include a substantial Rs 11,000 crore agreement with Samvardhana Motherson International, in collaboration with partners from Europe and the UK, focused on manufacturing, logistics, and assembly. This venture is anticipated to create approximately 7,000 jobs. Additionally, Sweden’s Sigma Technology Group plans to extend its GCC operations in Tiruchirappalli and Chennai, which is expected to generate around 600 new jobs.

Vijay’s Aspirations for Motorsport

Vijay’s trip to the UK was also motivated by a vision to position Tamil Nadu as a global hub for motorsport. Earlier this month, he announced plans for a world-class Olympic City in Chennai that would also feature a dedicated Motor Sports City, aimed at hosting Formula 1 events. As part of this ambition, he visited the Silverstone Circuit in the UK to assess its infrastructure, including the race control centre and safety systems.

The TVK reported that actor and racer Ajith Kumar assisted Vijay in exploring operational aspects of the circuit. Following this, Vijay participated in the flag-off of the 2026 Michelin Le Mans Cup, where Ajith took part as a competitor. The presence of actor Trisha at the event further highlighted the high-profile nature of the visit.

Opposition Criticism of the Trip

Rajaa questioned the actual new investments secured, as well as the specifics regarding the expansion of existing companies in Tamil Nadu. He raised concerns about the timeline for the implementation of these investments and the jobs they promise to create. Former chief minister MK Stalin also slammed Vijay for allegedly prioritising entertainment over the state’s urgent challenges, citing a power shortage and protests by fishermen in Tamil Nadu.

The DMK’s official publication, ‘Murasoli’, recently claimed that Vijay’s trip was poorly planned, highlighting a lack of standard preparatory discussions involving relevant ministers and officials. Furthermore, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran dismissed the reported investments, stating that many of the companies listed had existing operations in Tamil Nadu and were not new investments as claimed.

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