Actor-turned-politician Vijay has ignited a political storm in Tamil Nadu with the launch of his party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). In his inaugural public appearance, Vijay critiqued the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), alleging that the party’s leadership was “cheating people” in the name of the Dravidian model and accusing the “first family” of the DMK of “looting the state” through corrupt practices.
DMK says ‘he is copying.’
In response to Vijay’s assertions, DMK leader TKS Elangovan dismissed the actor’s claims, stating that his party’s policies were merely a copy of existing DMK ideologies. “These are all our policies, he is copying… whatever he says is what we had already said and which we are following,” Elangovan remarked, expressing skepticism about the novelty of Vijay’s political platform.
Elangovan emphasized the DMK’s long-standing commitment to fighting for the people’s issues, highlighting that the party has weathered numerous electoral challenges over its 75-year history. He also noted that DMK leaders have a history of activism, including willingness to face arrest in pursuit of justice, which he argues sets them apart from newer parties like TVK.
AIADMK SAYS ‘it’s old wine in a new bottle.’
The main opposition party, the AIADMK, also weighed in on Vijay’s entry into politics. Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan congratulated the actor but suggested he has much to learn before making a significant impact. “His ideology is a mix of the ideologies of all parties; it’s old wine in a new bottle,” he stated, characterizing TVK’s platform as a “cocktail” of existing political positions rather than a fresh approach.
Sathyan acknowledged that while Vijay’s support for caste census and social justice resonates with some constituents, the actor-turned-politician would need to translate his rhetoric into action to gain credibility.
Vijay’s Ideological Claims
In his address, Vijay aligned himself with several revered figures in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, including Dravidian icon E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar), Kamaraj, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He emphasized his commitment to social justice and women’s empowerment, explicitly stating that while his party embraces Periyar’s rationalist principles, it would not adopt his stance on atheism, clarifying, “We are against nobody’s faith.”
Vijay’s criticisms of the DMK and the framing of his party’s ideology as a platform for social justice aim to resonate with the electorate’s aspirations, particularly among youth and marginalized communities.
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