Actor turned politician Vijay recently made a surprising shift in his political stance during the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) programme, where he felicitated top-performing 10th and 12th grade students. Initially critical of the ruling DMK, Vijay’s change in position came starkly into focus on the second day of the event, held on 3 July 2024.

Previously, during the first phase on 28 June 2024, Vijay had launched into a critique of the DMK’s governance, particularly addressing issues like mis-administration and the prevailing drug culture. His speech was eagerly anticipated as it marked his party’s debut event following its launch earlier on February 2024. However, his stance underwent a swift transformation within a week’s time.

On 3 July 2024, Vijay resonated himself (TVK) with the DMK, expressing opposition to the NEET medical examination, advocating for education to be under state list, and adopting the DMK-coined term “Union” to refer to the central government. This abrupt shift has raised questions about Vijay’s political consistency and his willingness to challenge the ruling DMK, akin the paths taken by actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, who initially sought to establish their own parties but eventually aligned themselves with the DMK, particularly Kamal for a mere Rajya Sabha seat. Rajini on the other hand has allied himself along the business front by signing movies with DMK-family owned production house.

Vijay’s TVK party is now perceived akin to part-time politician Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), seen as a strategic toolkit to counter the influence of BJP, particularly under the leadership of K Annamalai, a retired IPS officer, in the upcoming Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections in 2026. If MNM sought to divide the anti-DMK votes in 2021, Vijay may do the same in 2026 if he contests.

Immediately commencing his speech TVK chief Vijay said, “Actually, I thought I should not talk about anything today, but it didn’t seem right if I didn’t talk about an important issue. You would have guessed what it will be, Yes NEET! It’s about NEET. If you look at this NEET, it is a fact that the students in our Tamil Nadu, especially the rural areas, where the poor, the backward, the most backward and the lower class, are all affected. What I see as three problems with NEET is… first thing is this NEET is against the state rights, this is something you all know, education was in the state list before 1975. It was only after that that the Union Government added it to the concurrent  list, and as far as I know, that was the first problem. Secondly, I see one country, one syllabus, one examination as being against the purpose of education in general. The syllabus should be tailored to each state. I am not asking this only for the sake of state rights. If you look at it, my view is that different opinions, different views, perspectives should be given importance. Diversity is a strength not a weakness.”

Then showing his acumen actor Vijay asked, “After you’ve studied in the state language, studied in the state syllabus, how can you take the exam in the NCERT syllabus?”

Then quoting the NEET paper leak scam Vijay stated, “People have lost faith completely in NEET examination. We understood by the news that the nation doesn’t need NEET. What is the solution for NEET? Exemption from NEET is the only solution. I wholeheartedly welcome resolution against NEET passed in the State Assembly. I request the Union Government to respect the emotions of the people of Tamil Nadu. People should solve the issue. What is the permanent solution for this? Education should be brought under the State List from Concurrent list.”

Actor Vijay subsequently urged that if no immediate solution was viable, the constitution should be amended to establish a separate special Concurrent List, incorporating health and education.

As previously noted, Vijay’s appearance at this event following the launch of his party in February 2024 was eagerly anticipated, especially regarding his remarks on politics. Initially critical of the ruling DMK, Vijay has changed his position starkly on the second day of the event, within a week’s time. Even this time he was seen without any Hindu mark on him. This speech of TVK chief Vijay, particularly focused on the NEET exam, a longstanding political agenda in Tamil Nadu by the DMK consistently sought exemption from the exam mandated by the Supreme Court.

How He Criticized The DMK In His Maiden Speech After Political Entry

• In contrast to the DMK’s approach of stoking students’ emotions with promises like NEET bans and shortcuts, Vijay opted to advise students to explore diverse career options.
• Despite the DMK ruling for three years, Vijay hinted at a necessity for strong leadership, pointing out a perceived political vacuum in Tamil Nadu, expressing the state failed in severe administration failure like past ones.
• Expressing a desire for capable leadership, Vijay indirectly referenced political corruption which is again targeted at the ruling DMK, noting that three ministers face corruption charges and one former minister has been jailed for a year.
• He also criticized dynasty politics, suggesting that future politicians should be judged on their education and merit rather than familial ties, emphasizing the importance of making informed choices in elections.
• Regarding propagandist media, he brought attention to how a few media houses report the same news differently. This must definitely be read as to how Dravidianist journalists and media outlets such as Sun News, a mouthpiece for the DMK report half-truths and peddle propaganda. Following the Lok Sabha election results, Sun News targeted Vijay in a manner that undermined his political stature, reducing him to a mere figure known for posting congratulatory messages on social media rather than being recognized as a serious political leader.
• Initially reluctant to directly blame the ruling DMK, Vijay later criticized the prevalent drug culture in Tamil Nadu, referencing seizures of methamphetamine, ganja, and drug pills since the arrest of former DMK figure Jaffer Sadiq and the tragic hooch incidents in 2023 that claimed 22 lives initially and now 63.

Yet Another Cine-Actor Emerges As Vote-Cutter

A few actors in Kollywood suffer from what is known as the MGR complex. Every Tom, Dick and Harry having acted in a few films thinks that they’re the messiah of Tamil Nadu and they will sit on the CM chair some day. The only actor who managed to make dent was the hardworking and uncompromising Vijayakanth, who gave nightmares to both Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi when they were around.

Apart from him, there have been actors like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and currently Vijay, who intermittently align themselves with the DMK, seemingly as a strategic move to bolster the party during critical junctures. This holds true when examining the sequence of their announcements and their strategies to divide votes, specifically targeting opposition parties.

For instance, Rajinikanth, portrayed as a devout Hindu, was clearly aligned with the DMK as evidenced by his initial foray into politics in 1996, a pivotal period. This was after the death of M.G.R. in 1987, when Jayalalithaa declared herself his political successor. After overcoming opposition from M.G.R.’s widow, V.N. Janaki Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa emerged as the sole leader of the AIADMK. In 1991, she became Tamil Nadu’s youngest chief minister, known for consolidating state power among a select group of bureaucrats. Her cabinet ministers, frequently shuffled, held mostly ceremonial roles. Notably, her administration introduced the successful cradle-baby scheme, enabling anonymous adoption of newborns. Despite an official salary of just one rupee per month, Jayalalithaa displayed opulent wealth publicly. However, in the 1996 elections, the AIADMK suffered a near-total defeat, with Jayalalithaa herself losing her seat. The incoming Karunanidhi government pursued multiple corruption cases against her, leading to a period of imprisonment.

How could a leader, who had earned the trust of the people and demonstrated administrative prowess, suffer such a downfall? The answer lies partly in the influence of the so-called spiritual politician, Rajinikanth. In 1996, Rajinikanth threw his support behind G.K. Moopanar’s Congress faction, which was aligned with the DMK. Leveraging Rajinikanth’s immense popularity, they campaigned against Jayalalitha. Rajinikanth notably remarked at the time, “If Jayalalithaa is re-elected, not even god can save Tamil Nadu.”

After a long period following the death of Chief Minister Jayalalitha on 5 December 2016, in December 2017, Rajinikanth, ending years of speculation, held fan meetings and declared his entry into politics. He announced his intention to contest the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, capitalizing on a political void created by Jayalalitha’s demise and Karunanidhi’s illness. At this time, the DMK, out of power for nearly a decade, was striving to regain control in the 2021 elections.

Shortly thereafter, Kamal Haasan launched a new party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), on 21 February 2018, in Madurai. Kamal, a rival both on screen and in real life for Rajinikanth, initially positioned himself as independent from the DMK. However, during the recent Lok Sabha elections, with no imminent threat like Rajinikanth to the DMK, Kamal Haasan aligned himself with them, securing a Rajya Sabha seat. Neither Rajini nor Kamal showed the courage needed as they prioritized their interests in the film industry over taking a strong stance in politics, hence acted as a pawn in politics.

It has become evident that any actor who emerges as an opposition to the DMK ends up being perceived as a tool for the DMK. Vijay’s party, TVK, is also viewed similarly now, as his past actions resonate with DMK ideology.

• Looking back at how Vijay exposed his alignment with the Dravidian ideology, it is noteworthy that on the auspicious occasion of Tamizh Puthandu (Tamil New Year) on 14 April 2024, amidst the festive spirit engulfing Tamil Nadu, Vijay stirred controversy by refraining from extending wishes to the people for the Tamil New Year. Instead, Vijay took to social media to share greetings for Ambedkar Jayanti, which coincidentally falls on the same day. This is the same strategy employed by the DMK on the auspicious occasion of Hindu celebrations and festivals such as Vinayagar Chaturthi, Saraswathi Pooja, and other festive occasions. 
• As expected, aligning with the stance of Dravidian parties, Vijay (very ignorantly) expressed opposition to the notification of CAA. His press release read, “Any law like the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) is not acceptable in an environment where all the people of the country are living in social harmony. The rulers should give an assurance that they will not implement this law in Tamil Nadu.”
• Currently, opposing the NEET, he once again proving allegiance to the DMK.

In the previous instance at least actor Vijay managed to navigate the political landscape effectively, balancing between various parties as the 2026 legislative assembly elections loomed large. However, his speech on NEET and usage of “Ondriya Arasu” to undermine the authority of the Union government is nothing but playing to the gallery of Dravidianists.

This development is disheartening because when a politician aims to become the chief minister but lacks the courage to challenge the ruling party, progress can stagnate indefinitely. In Tamil Nadu’s political memory, only legends like MGR and Vijayakanth who opposed DMK vehemently are remembered. Those who have now been coopted by the DMK, are now playing second fiddle to the first family in their own capacity.

Satheesh is a freelance writer.

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