Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 2: Graduating from cinema to politics as his illustrious predecessors like the late veterans MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, the current Tamil film superstar Vijay has finally plunged into politics launching his own party on Friday ending all speculations about his political ambitions.
Presently the most popular and highest-paid actor in south Indian films, Vijay named his political party “Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam,” loosely translate to “Tamil Nadu Victory Party,” and announced that his party would enter the electoral field first time in the Tamil state Assembly elections due in 2026. He further clarified the party would not contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections or support any alliance as decided in its recently held general council and executive council meetings.
Mr Vijay said while on the one hand a culture of corruption in society and in administration was plaguing the polity in the State, on the other hand there was politics of hate and divisiveness. “It is a fact that everyone is hoping for selfless, transparent, no bias in terms of caste-religion and a governance without corruption. What is important is that such a politics should be in tune with the Tamil culture of equality and political traditions of the State that respects the Indian Constitution,” he said.
The party was launched days after leaders of the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) appointed him the party chief. “I have decided to complete the films I have already committed to, without affecting the party work and completely involve myself in the politics of public service. I consider this as my gratitude towards the people of Tamil Nadu,” Vijay said.
The announcement prompted spontaneous celebrations from his fans in the state known for stars becoming political leaders. Seen as the next Rajinikanth of Tamil cinema, Vijay – who has acted in 68 films – has been nurturing political ambitions for over a decade. He has been involving his fan clubs in a range of charity and welfare measures including free distribution of food, educational scholarships, libraries, evening tuition, and even legal help.
Recently, he organised a constituency-level programme to honour student toppers in public exams. He told the students he wants to “read about leaders like Ambedkar, Periyar, Kamaraj. Take what’s good and leave the rest.”
Vijay’s father is the celebrated film director Chandrasekhar. Vijay’s films have often touched sensitive and key public interest topics, and he has a cult following in the state. Some of Vijay’s films have also taken controversial stands in targeting governments over the years.
Mr Vijay said the party would start propagating its ‘Tamil Nadu-centric’ ideology and party’s flag, policies to the people through public events after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the intervening period, Mr Vijay said party cadres would be ‘politicised’ and party’s reach in the grassroots would be strengthened and office bearers would be appointed ‘democratically.’
Mr Vijay has further said he did not consider politics as another occupation and believed it was a “holy service of people.” “I have learnt not just the heights of politics but its depths from his seniors in politics. Politics is not my hobby, it is my quest,” he said. He added that he would fully involve himself in politics once his film commitments were completed. He is currently acting in director Venkat Prabhu’s “Greatest of All Times.”
