AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday launched a sharp attack on actor-turned-politician Vijay, questioning his political credentials and readiness to enter public life, citing the recent stampede at a Vijay-led public event in which 41 people lost their lives.
Addressing reporters at a press conference, Palaniswami said that political leadership required years of experience, administrative grounding and an ability to respond decisively in moments of crisis, qualities he said Vijay had not demonstrated.
“He is a good actor, there is no second opinion about that. But as good politicians, that is us. As for serving the people, that is also us,” Palaniswami said.
Referring to the stampede incident, the AIADMK leader said the tragedy exposed a lack of organisational preparedness and leadership.
“Forty-one people who came to see him and listen to his speech lost their lives. What should have been done? He should have gone there directly. Irreplaceable lives are gone. It is tragic. You could not even offer condolences — then what party are you going to run?” he asked.
Palaniswami said politics was not about crowd mobilisation alone, but about responsibility and accountability.
“Experience is needed. This is not an ordinary matter. Because it was done without planning, 41 families have been devastated today,” he said.
‘Politics Is Not a Film Set’
Drawing a contrast between film stardom and governance, Palaniswami said public adulation could not substitute for administrative competence.
“Till now he was acting in films. Only now has he come out. Politics is not a movie. This is about the livelihood of eight crore people. When a government comes, how it functions matters,” he said.
The former Chief Minister also questioned Vijay’s claims of having walked away from immense personal wealth to enter politics.
“You say you left behind tens of thousands of crores. For whom did you leave it behind? Will such a person survive in politics?” Palaniswami asked, adding that he was responding directly to questions posed by journalists.
Cites Crisis Governance Record
Defending the AIADMK’s record in governance, Palaniswami cited the party’s handling of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, contrasting it with what he described as Vijay’s absence from crisis situations.
“During the Corona period, I personally went to 32 districts. Even doctors advised me not to travel, but I went. Had it been him, would he have come out of his house?” Palaniswami said.
He also recalled the AIADMK’s response during the tsunami and Cyclone Gaja, saying ministers remained on the ground for months to oversee relief operations.
“That is how a government should function. That was the AIADMK government,” he said.
TVK’s Political Plans
Vijay recently launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which is yet to announce a formal alliance for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The party has described the Congress as a “natural partner” based on shared secular values.
TVK is expected to formally roll out its election campaign in the first week of February and has been allotted the ‘whistle’ election symbol. The party is planning a large state-level conference, along with three major public meetings across different regions of Tamil Nadu, all of which Vijay is expected to address. Party sources said an alternative plan involving five regional public meetings has been drawn up in case logistical constraints delay the larger event.
Meanwhile, the stampede case remains under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation, with the possibility of summons and court proceedings potentially affecting Vijay’s political schedule in the coming weeks.
Concluding his remarks, Palaniswami said entering politics was anyone’s right, but leadership could not be improvised.
“This is a free country. Anyone can start a party. But when a crisis comes, how will they handle it?” he asked.
Source: NDTV
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