As Tamil Nadu heads into elections only weeks away, actor Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), have emerged as a significant new variable, prompting debate over how much influence he could wield. At the India Today Tamil Nadu Roundtable, former state BJP president K. Annamalai and Congress MP Karti Chidambaram both acknowledged Vijay’s popularity but offered contrasting assessments of his electoral impact.
Annamalai described Vijay as a factor that cannot be ignored, suggesting that younger voters, particularly Gen Z, might view him as an alternative to the traditional DMK-versus-AIADMK contest. He argued, however, that Vijay’s lack of political experience could ultimately benefit the NDA. Annamalai also pointed to what he called a subtle anti-incumbency sentiment, noting that many legislators in the state are long-serving and older. Drawing a comparison to Bihar, he referenced Prashant Kishor’s perceived but unrealised influence there, implying that popularity does not always translate into electoral gains.
Karti Chidambaram, while conceding that Vijay enjoys visible enthusiasm and could attract a sizable vote share even without a robust party network, questioned whether that support would convert into seats. He stressed that electoral success depends heavily on organisational strength and ground-level infrastructure developed over time, which TVK currently lacks.
Vijay has so far declined to align with either the DMK or the AIADMK and has been openly critical of both parties. Although his clean public image and large fan base are seen as assets, the memory of the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives is expected to cast a shadow over his campaign.
The discussion also turned to broader electoral prospects. Despite recent tensions in the DMK-Congress alliance over seat-sharing and power arrangements, Annamalai expressed confidence that the NDA had momentum. He cited ongoing protests by professional groups in Chennai and what he described as dissatisfaction in rural areas as indicators of a desire for change. He dismissed the Hindi imposition controversy as a decisive issue and maintained that the BJP prioritises Tamil interests. Addressing the BJP’s limited presence in the state, Annamalai argued that both the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are relatively recent entrants into Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
Chidambaram countered that Modi’s influence would be minimal in the state elections, which he characterised as leader-centric, with voters primarily focused on chief ministerial candidates. He criticised AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, describing his rise as circumstantial following Jayalalithaa’s death and highlighting recent electoral defeats. At the same time, Chidambaram acknowledged that a multi-cornered contest could make the race unpredictable but expressed confidence that the DMK-Congress combine would narrowly prevail.
He also observed that national parties traditionally play secondary roles in Tamil Nadu politics, arguing that Congress contributes a secular appeal while Hindutva-driven politics have limited resonance with the state’s electorate.
