It’s after a long time that Tamil Nadu’s largely bipolar political field is set to see the influence of a big movie star. Actor Vijay has officially declared his intent to enter the fray of electoral politics. His target is 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls while he steers clear of extending support to any party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Clearly, Vijay’s move will upset the posturing of current players, but whether it would fundamentally alter the field of play is a question better answered later than sooner. As of now, the immediate game plan appears to politically inspire his legion of fans – largely in the 18-40 age group – and prepare them as a sort of electoral base ahead of the state polls.
The DMK, which took power from the Congress in the late 1960s, has faced several opponents. Almost all politicians who have earned a place in the state’s political tapestry had stood opposed to the DMK at some time or the other.
MG Ramachandran, J Jayalalithaa and Vijayakanth are the top celluloid stars who made indelible marks. There is another smaller league of regional politicians like Ramadoss, a medical practitioner-turned politician wielding strong influence in the northern districts, Thol. Thirumavalavan, who espouses the cause of oppressed communities, and other smaller parties that cater to sub-segments within the state’s social strata.
Into such a fragmented landscape, Vijay enters, six years after Kamal Haasan made his own. Haasan, a much-celebrated star, chose to coast along the political shores, alternating between strategic politicking and stretches of plain silence. He is at once a film star, a reality host, and a politician. Vijay, nevertheless, has said he is going to enter politics “full time”, after finishing a movie he had previously committed to.
With a big bang entry on the cards, how are the incumbents set to take this development? Given the initial reactions, it appears as though parties are taking Vijay far more seriously than any other entrant.
DMK
Udhayanidhi Stalin, whose power within the DMK has grown enormously over the last year, has extended his congratulations to Vijay and wished him well for the new beginning. Strangely, MK Stalin had adopted a similar stance when actor Rajinikanth had sent out feelers of a political entry.
The DMK’s plan has always been to let the opponent fire the first shot, which has worked really well in the past, particularly in Rajinikanth’s case. The actor had made strong anti-Periyar voices when speculation was rife that he would launch his party but post his withdrawal and the DMK’s ascendance to power, he is now singing paeans to M Karunanidhi. The DMK knows well that time would reveal those really committed to oppose them earnestly, so they wouldn’t really fire when it makes sense to wait and let the situation evolve.
AIADMK
The AIADMK, meanwhile, has launched a salvo, with spokesperson D Jayakumar saying there can be “only one MGR”. The AIADMK is heavily dependent on the star power of founder icon MGR and his successor J Jayalalithaa. For them, MGR is a mascot and symbol of power forever. Any sign of imitation of his unique quality is a threat to their existence.
For AIADMK, Vijay’s entry might present deeper trouble — who gets to harvest the anti-DMK vote depends on how cleverly Vijay manoeuvres the situation.
BJP
Vijay’s entry spells trouble for the BJP for reasons similar to that of the AIADMK. Arguably, state president K Annamalai has gathered power and laid the ground for some support for a party that was tottering along in Tamil Nadu. However, the entry of a star like Vijay will have an influence of diversion the BJP may not be prepared for – particularly in the Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP had made an enemy of Vijay by drawing attention in a derisive way to his religion (BJP state leader H Raja put out an identity card of the actor that spelt out his full name, Joseph Vijay). For Annamalai, the hard-won success in building a platform of support faces the risk of erosion.
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