R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAR 9
Tamil Nadu’s political theatre is entering a dramatic new act as the state inches closer to the next Assembly elections. At the centre of the unfolding power struggle stands actor-turned-politician Vijay, founder of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), who now finds himself caught between competing political forces seeking to shape the electoral battlefield.
- As Tamil Nadu Assembly polls approach, national and regional parties intensify efforts to court TVK Chief Vijay
- CBI summons, film delays and personal controversies add to mounting political pressure on actor-turned-leader
- AIADMK–BJP combine eyes strategic alliance as DMK accuses rivals of ‘manufacturing pressure’
- Historical echoes: From Indira Gandhi’s grip on Karunanidhi to today’s power play in Dravidian politics
- Will Tamil Nadu’s self-respect politics hold firm or yield to electoral expediency?
The latest twist came when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued yet another summons to Vijay in connection with the investigation into the Karur stampede, where 41 people lost their lives and many others were injured.
This marks the third time the agency has called the actor-politician for questioning. Vijay had earlier appeared before the CBI at its Delhi headquarters on January 12 and January 19, where he was questioned for several hours. Sources said investigators had already gathered material evidence and recorded statements from him and are now seeking further clarification during Tuesday’s enquiry.
The case was initially probed by a Special Investigation Team before the Supreme Court of India transferred it to the CBI following a petition filed by TVK representatives. The apex court also ordered a parallel fact-finding exercise led by retired judge Ajay Rastogi, who visited Karur and sought a detailed ground report.
Yet the timing of the summons has triggered intense political speculation.
Pressure politics or routine investigation?
The development comes precisely when Vijay is preparing to interview potential candidates for the upcoming polls and chalking out an ambitious campaign tour across Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at a rally in Thanjavur days earlier, Vijay hinted at mounting political pressure.
“There are forces that do not want us to function freely. They are trying to create obstacles. But we will not bow down,” Vijay said, without naming any party.
His remarks were widely interpreted by supporters as a veiled reference to both the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Leaders of the DMK dismissed the allegations, asserting that investigative agencies must function independently.
A senior DMK functionary said: “The law will take its own course. Linking every legal process with politics is a convenient narrative, but it does not change the facts.”
However, the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) views Vijay as a potential disruptor who could split anti-DMK votes if he contests alone.
An AIADMK strategist remarked: “Vijay commands enormous youth appeal. If he enters the electoral field independently, it could fragment votes. But if like-minded forces come together, the political arithmetic changes dramatically.”
The BJP has also kept the door open.
A Tamil Nadu BJP leader said: “Our objective is to defeat the DMK and bring development-oriented governance. Any party that shares this vision can work together.”
Cinema, controversy and political calculations
Complicating Vijay’s political journey is the uncertain fate of his much-anticipated film JanaNayagan. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) review committee postponed its screening indefinitely, officially citing the illness of a panel member.
The film was initially scheduled for release on January 9 and was widely expected to act as a major political launchpad ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, personal turbulence has added to the storm. Vijay’s wife Sangeetha Sornalingam has reportedly filed a divorce petition and sought legal protection for her residential rights, alleging marital disputes.
Political observers say the combination of legal scrutiny, film delays and personal controversies could weaken Vijay’s momentum at a crucial moment.
A Chennai-based political analyst observed: “In Tamil Nadu politics, timing is everything. When controversies converge simultaneously, they can shape public perception and influence electoral strategies.”
Echoes from the past: When Delhi pressured Dravidian leaders
The unfolding drama also evokes memories of earlier confrontations between New Delhi and Dravidian leaders.
During the turbulent years of the Emergency in India, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was widely seen as exerting pressure on regional leaders, including DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, popularly known as Kalaignar.
Political historians recall that tensions between Indira Gandhi’s government and the DMK culminated in the dismissal of the Karunanidhi-led state government in 1976 under Article 356.
A veteran political commentator said: “Karunanidhi’s dismissal during the Emergency remains a defining moment in Tamil Nadu’s political memory. It reinforced the Dravidian narrative of resisting central domination.”
This historical backdrop continues to shape Tamil Nadu’s political psyche, where the concept of “self-respect politics”—rooted in the Dravidian movement—remains deeply influential.
The strategic dilemma for Vijay
For Vijay, the dilemma is stark.
If he contests independently, he risks dividing anti-DMK votes and indirectly helping the ruling party. If he aligns with the AIADMK-BJP bloc, critics warn that it could undermine the ideological legacy of Dravidian self-respect politics.
Political observers say the next few months will determine whether Vijay emerges as a transformative political force or becomes a pawn in a larger power game.
A senior TVK leader summed up the party’s stance: “Our leader entered politics to bring transparent governance and people-centric policies. Alliances will be decided only on principles that protect Tamil Nadu’s interests.”
What lies ahead
Tamil Nadu’s political landscape has historically revolved around powerful Dravidian parties. The emergence of Vijay introduces a new variable into an already complex equation.
Whether the actor-politician chooses confrontation, collaboration or cautious independence could reshape the electoral battle in the Dravidian heartland.
For now, the question dominating political corridors in Chennai is simple yet profound:
Will Vijay rewrite the rules of Tamil Nadu politics — or be drawn into the very power games he set out to challenge?
