In First Speech, ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay Identifies Political Enemies But Keeps Doors Open For Alliances

Last Updated:October 28, 2024, 11:59 IST

Vijay did not openly attack any politician or party by calling them out, setting off a furious guessing game on social media

Actor and founder of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam Vijay addresses during his pary's first political conference, at Vikravandi in Villupuram district. (PTI)

Actor Vijay delivered a highly charged, well-drafted political speech on Sunday that clearly marked two political enemies — DMK and the plethora of political forces bent on leveraging religious and caste fissures in society.

Taking a clear shot at “corrupt” politicians and those indulging in divisive politics, he made an unequivocal attack on the DMK in Tamil Nadu’s Vikkravandi. “Advancing anti-people politics as Dravida Model and cheating the people with that is a self-interested dynasty politics grouping,” Vijay roared into a teeming crowd made of his legions of fans and political affiliates.

Vijay’s attack on the DMK carried a very nuanced understanding of the current dynamic. The DMK and its key go-to-polls strategy has been to warn voters of the ills of the ‘fascist BJP’ and that was exactly what Vijay called out. “What fascism? And what you do is Payasam (Tamil sweet dish)?”

Paradoxically, Vijay’s political ideologies largely mirrored those of the DMK — ‘secularism, social justice, women’s rights, and more.

Interestingly, he adopts Periyar without the denial of God principles, steering clear of showing any inclination to criticise religious tenets and beliefs.

Noteworthy among his political principles are proportional representation, women’s rights, protection for women and children, education, health and drinking water as a fundamental right among others.

Vijay also made an electorally significant announcement that he is open to alliances. “Will we not join forces with those like us, who want to travel with us?” He topped it up with another revelation that he is open to sharing power with alliance partners, which has been a sticky issue with partners in previous alliances.

Vijay did not openly attack any politician or party by calling them out, setting off a furious guessing game on social media.

At the end, Vijay said: “We will win single majority”, eliciting raucous calls of ‘Thalapathy’ from his followers.

With his first power-packed speech, Vijay, as a politician and head of political party Thamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam, has signalled that battle lines are drawn.

Tamil Nadu’s political scenario has never looked so fragmented as now. The DMK and its multi-party alliance featuring the communists and Thol. Thirumavalavan’s VCK stand on one side. In the other corner is Edappadi Palaniswami’s ADMK, which is a powerful giant though currently slumbering. The BJP in another corner looks a little dim with its firebrand leader K Annamalai not in action. Several smaller outfits are watching the developments — they are the primary targets for the larger parties to rope in if the public sentiment seems unclear. After all, when in doubt, vote bank arithmetic never fails.

Some parties may believe it is too early to be talking alliances, but with Vijay’s starry emergence, some parleys may already be underway in the shadowy political corners.

Tamil Nadu, India

News elections In First Speech, ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay Identifies Political Enemies But Keeps Doors Open For Alliances