Tamil Nadu’s state elections on Thursday have turned into a three-way battle with C Joseph Vijay, a popular actor-turned-politician, challenging the traditional dominance of the two Dravidian parties – the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
While Vijay’s entry into politics has sparked widespread interest, political experts believe his impact will likely be more disruptive than transformative, according to Al Jazeera.
In a fiery rally held in Tirunelveli, about 600 km south of Chennai, Vijay, 51, addressed a massive crowd, accusing his political rivals of uniting against his bid for Chief Minister. “My opponents may appear different from outside, but they have one goal: stopping me from becoming the CM,” Vijay said, invoking a chant of his name, “Vijay,” which means “victory” in Tamil.
Vijay’s launch of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in 2024 has disrupted Tamil Nadu’s typically bipolar political landscape. The DMK, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, has dominated state politics alongside the AIADMK, headed by Edappadi K Palaniswami, for decades.
With national parties like Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) playing secondary roles, the DMK and AIADMK have traditionally battled for dominance, built on a platform of social justice, anti-Hindi imposition, and Dravidian identity.
Vijay, who hails from an affluent agrarian community, is capitalising on his mass appeal from his decades-long career in Tamil cinema. His earlier films, especially the 2004 hit Ghilli, carried subtle political undertones, and his films often highlighted themes of leadership, justice, and governance.
Political messaging has become a recurring theme in his filmography, with titles like Thalaivaa (Leader) and Jana Nayagan (People’s Leader), reinforcing his ambition for political office.
Despite being a fresh face in politics, Vijay’s appeal extends particularly to younger voters aged 18 to 39 and women, groups that make up a significant portion of Tamil Nadu’s electorate. At his rallies, Vijay has presented himself as a populist figure, accusing Stalin of being in cahoots with bribery and corruption, and positioning his battle as a personal one against the incumbent chief minister.
However, experts remain sceptical about Vijay’s political future. Analysts say that while his charisma attracts large crowds, his lack of organisational structure and clear political ideology may hinder his chances. “Tamil Nadu is an ideologically evolved state. People won’t back a politician without a clear programme,” said Ramu Manivannan, former professor of political science at the University of Madras.
Vijay’s campaign has also been described as both a “blessing and a curse” for the two Dravidian parties. Political analyst R Kannan notes that Vijay’s appeal may siphon votes from both the DMK and AIADMK, without offering any significant political alternative.
The actor has positioned himself as a challenger to the established parties, while appealing to voters disillusioned with the current political elite. Yet his TVK party lacks the kind of political infrastructure or long-standing ideologies of the major Dravidian parties.
Vijay’s political trajectory echoes that of past film stars who have used their on-screen popularity as a stepping stone into politics. The late MGR (Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran) and his protege, Jayalalithaa, both served as Chief Ministers, their rise fuelled by strong ties to Tamil identity politics.
MGR, who formed the AIADMK in 1972, introduced several welfare schemes and became a symbol of empowerment for the working class, while Jayalalithaa continued his legacy, earning the title of “Amma” (Mother).
Vijay seems to be attempting to follow in these footsteps, targeting Dalit and minority Christian votes that would traditionally go to the DMK-led coalition. But despite the allure of his personal popularity, his lack of a solid policy framework has raised concerns.
He is expected to attract anti-incumbency votes that might otherwise have gone to the AIADMK, but without a clear ideological backing, analysts argue, his impact could remain marginal.
As the election approaches, both the DMK and AIADMK have launched extensive welfare promises. The DMK, for instance, has promised to double the monthly women’s allowance, while the AIADMK has vowed to distribute free refrigerators and grants to the poor.
Vijay’s TVK has also made bold promises, including free LPG cylinders, stipends for unemployed graduates, and a monthly support scheme for women heads of households. These promises, however, are unlikely to translate into real policy unless backed by a solid governance plan.
Vijay’s biggest challenge remains the deep-rooted political structures of Tamil Nadu. Political experts like Kannan argue that his influence, while significant in terms of rally attendance, may ultimately fall short of securing a real power base.
“Vijay’s campaign has given the election a new dimension, but unless he builds on more than just his star power, his ambitions of becoming Chief Minister may remain a dream,” Kannan said.
As Tamil Nadu votes, the outcome of this election will likely shape the future of Dravidian politics and offer valuable lessons on the intersection of cinema and politics. With the Dravidian parties clashing over issues like welfare and centre-state relations, Vijay’s challenge is to prove that he has more to offer than just political theatrics.
