Patna: Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay appears poised for a breakthrough in Tamil Nadu politics, with his party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam, emerging as a leading contender to form the next government.
Early trends indicate that the party is nearing the majority mark in the state assembly, in what analysts describe as a significant shift in the political landscape.
Contesting Elections Proves Decisive
Vijay’s decision to contest elections personally — reportedly from two constituencies — is being viewed as a critical factor behind the party’s performance. Political observers have drawn comparisons with Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party in Bihar, which failed to win any seats after Kishor chose not to contest.
Despite generating considerable attention during the campaign, the Jan Suraaj Party was unable to convert momentum into electoral success.
Kishor’s Prediction Gains Attention
Kishor had earlier publicly predicted that Vijay’s party could secure the numbers required to form a government if it contested independently. The majority mark in the Tamil Nadu assembly stands at 118 seats.
At the time of reporting, TVK was leading in over 154 seats, with smaller parties — including the Bharatiya Janata Party — also securing a handful of seats, potentially enabling Vijay to gather the support needed to cross the majority threshold.
Campaign Strategy And Shifting Roles
Kishor had initially been associated with shaping Vijay’s campaign strategy, attending party events and endorsing him as a “new hope” for Tamil Nadu. However, he later stepped back from an active advisory role, citing commitments related to elections in Bihar.
It remains unclear to what extent Kishor contributed to the later stages of the campaign.
If the current trends hold, Vijay could become the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a significant entry of a film star into mainstream governance.
