Vijay said his party will not contest upcoming Lok Sabha elections, nor would support anyone, but would contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections.
Published Feb 02, 2024 | 4:09 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 02, 2024 | 4:09 PM
Tamil actor Vijay. (X)
There is a new political player in Tamil Nadu. Taking the plunge, finally, from the silver screen to the world of politics, renowned Tamil star Vijay announced the name of his political party.
With this, Vijay joins a long list of Tamil cinema superstars who have made the shift from movies to politics. From MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa to Kamal Haasan and Udhayanidhi Stalin, several Tamil cinema actors have ventured into politics. Some have even going on to become Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu.
Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Tamil actor Vijay officially announced his entry into politics. On Friday, 2 February, Vijay revealed the name of his party – Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).
“Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam” would loosely translate to “Tamil Nadu Victory Party.” The name Vijay also means victory.
Politics was not yet another vocation but “holy public service,” he said in a statement in Chennai. In the statement, Vijay also said their party has been registered with the Election Commission of India.
He added, “We won’t contest the 2024 general elections and won’t support any party. We have made this decision at the General and Executive Council Meeting.”
Further, he stated that his party’s objective was to contest the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and bring about the political change that people have been wishing to see for a long time.
Vijay also launched exclusive pages on all social media platforms in the name of his political party.
#தமிழகவெற்றிகழகம் #TVKVijay pic.twitter.com/ShwpbxNvuM
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayoffl) February 2, 2024
The announcement prompted spontaneous celebrations from his fans, even as speculations were rife for some time about the actor taking the political plunge in a state known for stars graduating from cinema to politics, including the late veterans MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.
“I have decided to complete the film I have already committed to, without affecting the party work and completely involve myself in the politics of public service.”
“I consider this as my gratitude towards the people of Tamil Nadu,” Vijay said.
Vijay is currently working on a film titled GOAT under the direction of Venkat Prabhu.
During the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Vijay came on a bicycle to cast his vote in Chennai, though the actor had not made any statement, there was speculation if the act was a message on rising fuel prices. His team however has denied the speculations later.
Later in 2022, in an interview with Sun TV, the actor said, he rode the bicycle, as the polling booth was close to his house and nothing else.
In June 2023, Vijay speaking at a school program in Chennai, urged the students to ask their parents to vote in elections without accepting bribes and see the transformation for themselves.
“The students who will soon become first-time voters should realise the merits of electing a leader without accepting cash for votes. When this happens, your education becomes complete,” he said.
Vijay cautioned them “against poking their own eyes with their hands” by accepting money for votes.
“Consider a politician who gives ₹1,000 to a voter in a constituency that has 1.5 lakh voters. How much he must have given as a bribe —nearly ₹15 crore? If a person gives a bribe of ₹15 crore, think how much he must have earned before that. I want all this to be a part of your educational system,” the popular actor said as the students who had gathered gave a rousing applause.
Vijay had also then exhorted the young minds not to stop acquiring bookish knowledge but to go beyond it and learn about all the leaders including BR Ambedkar, EVR Periyar, and K Kamaraj and imbue only their good aspects.
“I have one small request to make. Do spend time with those who could not succeed in their exams. Tell them passing exams is easy and encourage them,” he said.
“Also never take wrong decisions, take bold decisions. As you go up in life, handle the freedom that you get with self-discipline, and have fun in life but don’t give up your identity. Our life is in our hands,” Vijay advised.
His fans association —Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam — which transformed into a welfare organisation, contested the 2021 civic polls in the state and won 115 seats out of 169 it contested.
(With PTI inputs)
