Vijay Chandrasekhar / Actor Vijay's entry into Tamil Nadu politics, will the game of South change?

Vijay Chandrasekhar: As Lok Sabha elections are approaching, important developments are taking place in the politics of Tamil Nadu. Superstar Vijay has officially announced that he is making his political debut. He has announced that his party will not contest the Lok Sabha elections but the 2026 assembly elections. After this announcement, all the major parties are calculating to what extent Vijay's Tamilaga Vetri Kalagam (TVK) party will influence Tamil politics. Will Vijay's entry change the mathematics of South Indian politics? Assessments have started in this regard.

The entry of stars in Tamil Nadu politics is not a new thing. MGR, Jayalalitha and K Karunanidhi have held the reins of the state for nearly 50 years. Karunanidhi's party DMK is still holding the reins of the state. His son MK Stalin is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Stalin's son Udhayanidhi is being considered as his successor. There is also talk of making him Deputy Chief Minister.

What is the political scenario of Tamil Nadu?

Politics in Tamil Nadu is dominated by two parties, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), whose alliance commands 70 to 80 percent of the voteshare. However, there is a possibility of getting the remaining 20 to 30 percent votes. This is the place Vijay will be aiming for and many before him have had their sights set on it for the last three decades.

In 1996, veteran Congress leader GK Moopanar started the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC). In 2005, ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth launched the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). A film star in his own right, though not even close to Vijay's stature, Vijayakanth made a significant, but short-lived, mark in the state's politics.

Film director Seeman followed up with his Tamil nationalist name Tamilar Katchi (NTK) in 2009. He maintains a minimal but constant presence in the state. In 2014 and 2016, former Union minister and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss projected himself as the 'next chief minister' but failed to break the DMK-AIADMK duopoly.

Kamal Haasan could not leave any impact on politics

Actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) was launched in 2018 as an alternative to the “corrupt” DMK and AIADMK. However, Haasan failed to generate any traction electorally, and is now in talks to secure at least one Lok Sabha seat for the 2024 general elections in the DMK-Congress alliance. IPS officer-turned-politician BJP's K Annamalai has emerged as the next upcoming face in Tamil Nadu politics in 2021. However, among all the above figures, Vijay's stature is unique.

Vijay's power of superstardom like MGR

Like MGR, Vijay's superstardom will be his biggest strength for entering politics. Although he himself is a Christian, and his roots can be found in the backward Udayar community, political observers in Tamil Nadu believe that Vijay's appeal transcends caste, class, religion and even region.

Vijayakanth was the “king of B and C category theatres”, and hence he chose the Virudhachalam constituency for the bulk of the rural voters. Haasan, on the other hand, contested from Coimbatore South, due to its educated, urban demography. However, Vijay's fans flock to multiplexes and C class cinema halls alike.

But popularity alone is not enough to succeed in Tamil Nadu politics – one must also have a coherent ideology. Vijayakanth's short-term success and Haasan's struggle are proof of this fact. Similar is the success of the late MGR, whose superstardom was helped by the politics deeply rooted in the Dravidian movement.

Attention will have to be given to strengthening the organization

Political analysts say that the superstar's statement announcing the launch of his party clearly clarifies his ideology. Perhaps the biggest challenge for Vijay will be the lack of prominent faces in his new party. They will have to strengthen their organization. In such a situation when DMK is divided into camps. In such a situation, on which issues will Vijay focus? This has to be seen.

On the other hand, AIADMK and BJP are planning to defeat BJP through a strong alliance. Now that Vijay's party is also in the fray, DMK is moving ahead with a new strategy. Under this, there is a possibility of Kamal Haasan's party Makkal Needhi Mayam (MNM) being included in the DMK alliance. There is news that Kamal Haasan is demanding two seats to join India's alliance. DMK leaders believe that by including Kamal Haasan in their alliance, they can check the strength of Vijay's party.