Published Apr 11, 2026 | 1:46 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 11, 2026 | 1:46 PM
Vijay's fans are immature and disconnected from people, says Bhalaji: Credit: facebook.com/RajenthraBalaji, x.com/TVKPartyHQ
Synopsis: AIADMK leader KT Rajenthra Bhalaji claims strong anti-incumbency against the DMK government and expresses confidence in a comeback under Edappadi K Palaniswami. He dismisses actor Vijay’s political entry, asserting that his party will be “crushed” between AIADMK and DMK in Tamil Nadu’s electoral landscape.
As part of South First’s election series, we spoke to KT Rajenthra Bhalaji in Sivakasi, Virudhunagar district. In this candid interaction, the senior AIADMK leader shared his views on the electoral mood, the prospects of the Edappadi K. Palaniswami-led party, actor Vijay’s political entry, alliance dynamics, and issues affecting the Sivakasi industrial belt.
Q: What is chatter on the ground? How do you assess your chances in this election?
Rajenthra Bhalaji: AIADMK commands a certain respect. There is also respect for a calm and stable alliance. Every party has its vote base. The people of Tamil Nadu want a change in government. Those who believed that DMK would deliver have been greatly disappointed.
Therefore, voters are keen on removing DMK . They believe that only a common man like Edappadi Palaniswami becoming CM can deliver welfare schemes effectively. Hence, our chances look very bright.
Q: This is a crucial election under Edappadi Palaniswami’s leadership. What are your chances of victory, and what will AIADMK do differently if it wins?
Rajenthra Bhalaji: Edappadi, within just one year of assuming office, established 11 medical colleges and 67 arts colleges, a remarkable achievement. He also brought in the 7.5 percent reservation in medical education, which was revolutionary.
However, in the 2021 elections, these achievements were not highlighted enough. People voted believing DMK would do something. Even if they did something, they could not deliver a problem-free Tamil Nadu.
Edappadi Palaniswami implemented people-centric schemes. Law and order was strong. Women students could travel safely. Today, there is a growing drug culture. Even if such incidents happened during AIADMK rule, they were controlled and suppressed. Now, it is happening with the support of DMK.
People are talking about this and want change. This anti-DMK sentiment is working in our favour. That is why AIADMK’s chances are bright.
Q: Actor Vijay has entered politics and claims the legacy of MGR and Jayalalithaa. Will this affect AIADMK? How do you see his entry?
Rajenthra Bhalaji: Vijay is not a mature politician. Tamil Nadu people accepted MGR not just for his films but because he lived as a good human being. Vijay acts not just in films but in real life too. He has not lived as a good person in real life, this is what people are saying.
No matter how much mass appeal he has, in the electoral field he will become zero. His fans are immature and disconnected from people. They think they can gather votes by mobilising crowds, but politics is about service.
MGR’s cadre later accepted Amma (Jayalalithaa), which is why she continued to win. DMK survives because of Anna’s legacy. AIADMK also continues because MGR founded it. Vijay’s party will get crushed between these two major parties.
Q: In 2023, your party said the BJP alliance was a burden. Now BJP state president Nainar Nagendran is contesting from your region. Has your stance changed? Will the alliance help you?
Rajenthra Bhalaji: No. BJP today is not the same as before. It has grown. Nainar Nagendran is a state president of a national party, he can contest anywhere in Tamil Nadu.
He is a spiritual person with faith in God and someone who embraces all communities. I have known him for over 25 years. He held a major position in our movement earlier, and I have conducted many public meetings with him.
Those who know him are now campaigning for him. His chances of victory are bright.
Across Tamil Nadu, AIADMK, BJP, AMMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, and other parties with vote banks are supporting us. Social organisations like Netaji Subash Sena, Maruthu Sena, Devendrakula Federation, and others are backing us.
Various Nadar community organisations and Yadava associations are also supporting AIADMK. All these groups are working to make EPS the CM. Victory is very near, and he will take oath in May.
Q: DMDK, which was earlier with you, is now in alliance with DMK. Will this affect you in Virudhunagar and across Tamil Nadu?
Rajenthra Bhalaji: Captain Vijayakanth founded DMDK in opposition to DMK. Even when he was alive, he strongly opposed DMK and Congress.
Now, Premalatha has allied with DMK, people are talking about this. It is an opportunistic alliance.
Vijaya Prabhakaran contested from Virudhunagar last year with AIADMK and now with DMK. This will be a big setback for him. He should have chosen another constituency.
Q: What would you like to say to the people of Sivakasi and Tamil Nadu?
Rajenthra Bhalaji: In Sivakasi and Virudhunagar, I see myself as a protector. Today, if a lorry carrying firecrackers leaves Sivakasi, it is stopped midway and subjected to massive extortion in the name of GST. They say the money is for ministers.
Even a small vehicle is forced to pay ₹20,000–₹30,000. People running match and fireworks industries survive on such amounts. This government is crushing industries.
Q: But GST is a central subject. What can the state government do?
Rajenthra Bhalaji: Even if GST is under the Centre, it is implemented by state officials. What they are demanding is not tax, it is bribes. Should this corruption not be stopped?
If someone eats only what is needed, he is human; if he takes more than needed, he is like an animal. If you squeeze industrialists like this, what does it mean?
If I am in power, GST officials will not be able to harass fireworks industries in the name of raids. They issue show-cause notices and demand 10 percent upfront payment. If a company invests ₹10 crore and is asked to pay ₹1 crore immediately, how can any industrialist manage? We will either cancel this or reduce the advance amount.
We will raise this with both Centre and the CM. But today, no one can even approach the latter. Ministers themselves say not to bring fireworks issues to them.
15 lakh people depend on this industry. It brings happiness across the world. Workers risk their lives. Yet they are treated poorly, factories are shut, and workers are left without livelihood.
If a factory is closed for six months, what will workers eat? What will owners do? Everyone suffers.
That is why the people of Sivakasi want me to win. I act like a guardian for this region. I will ensure industries run without fear of officials.
