A televised debate on News Tamil 24×7 witnessed a heated exchange between a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) supporter and ‘journalist’ Nelson, with sharp differences emerging over youth mobilisation, political culture, and the legacy of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
Participating in the debate ‘moderated’ by Dravidianist stock journo Nelson Xavier, TVK supporter Pradeep claimed that ground sentiment in Tamil Nadu was shifting in favour of actor-politician Vijay’s party.
“A lot of surveys are coming out… In those surveys, many young people are reportedly saying they are leaning toward TVK,” he said, adding that Vijay had been engaged in welfare initiatives such as Virundhagam, Payilagam, Vizhiyagam, Virundhu Vilagal and Kurudhiagam for nearly three decades, often without publicity.
He further alleged that rival parties projected themselves as youth-oriented while indulging in inducement-based mobilisation.
“In many of their meetings, we openly see that people are made to sit and are given biryani and beer… Is that ideological mobilisation?” he asked.
‘What Is Wrong If Beer Is Given?’: Nelson
Responding to the charge, journalist Nelson questioned the criticism.
“What is wrong if biryani and beer are given in meetings?” he asked during the debate.
Pradeep countered that such practices could not be equated with political ideology or policy.
“Is that politics? Is that ideology? What Vijay has said is that all this is not needed… It is enough to say what we don’t want,” Pradeep replied, adding that cinema and politics should not be conflated when it comes to public mobilisation.
Nelson, in turn, mocked the distinction, saying, “But when my leader sings ‘Andava konda…’ and dances, I(fan) feels happy – because that is cinema. Cinema is separate, politics is separate.”
Pradeep responded that real-life political gatherings could not justify inducements in the name of ideology.
“In public life, you cannot bring people together in the name of ideology and then serve beer and food and compare that to cinema events. That is not fair,” he said.
Exchange Over Jayalalithaa’s Legacy
The debate later shifted to the legacy of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, triggering another tense exchange.
Nelson questioned TVK leaders paying homage at her memorial.
“If you say that was personal sentiment – did you go to Jayalalithaa’s memorial when Sengottaiyan joined TVK? Was that your individual choice, or did your entire party go together?” he asked.
Pradeep responded by acknowledging her stature while conceding she had flaws.
“She too was a great personality. Did she have shortcomings? Certainly. Nobody is perfect… She was a ‘singapenn’ – a lioness. She was an Iron Lady,” he said.
Nelson pressed further, asking, “For whom was she the Iron Lady?”
Pradeep replied, “For the women of Tamil Nadu and the people of this country, she was an Iron Lady.”
‘Thalaivaa’ Film Row Raised
Nelson then brought up the controversy surrounding the Vijay-starrer Thalaivaa and its delayed release in Tamil Nadu.
“Vijay went and apologised to the Chief Minister over the Thalaivaa issue and released a video – was that not political?” he asked.
Pradeep responded that Vijay had approached the Chief Minister as per protocol. “At that time, she was the Chief Minister. If he doesn’t go to her, who should he go to?” he said.
He further argued that the film’s release issues had political undertones, citing objections to the tagline “Time to Lead.” “There was political interference… The tagline meant ‘time to take leadership,’” he said.
Nelson countered that banning or obstructing a film over a caption reflected arrogance.
“It shows arrogance – banning a film release over a caption. You could not condemn that arrogance on stage,” he said, questioning how leaders critical of such actions could still treat Jayalalithaa as a political guide.
Pradeep reiterated that he had not claimed she was flawless.
“I never said she was perfect. I’ve already said she made mistakes,” he said, while agreeing that the decision reflected “arrogance.”
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