- Monday, October 28, 2024
The latest entrant to Tamil Nadu politics, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam founder Vijay took an apparent dig at the DMK and its first family
By: Shajil Kumar
FORCES dividing the country on various lines and corrupt entities are his party’s enemies, TVK leader and top Tamil actor Vijay said in Villupuram on Sunday.
He emphasised that his party has been based on secular social justice ideologies with leaders like EVR Periyar and K Kamaraj as its guiding lights.
The latest entrant to Tamil Nadu politics, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam founder Vijay took an apparent dig at the DMK and its first family, saying its leaders were calling the “anti-people government as Dravida model government.”
The Dravida model government is a reference to DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin’s oft-repeated statement that such a model of governance was an inclusive one ensuring the well-being of all sections of Tamil society.
In his maiden public speech eight months after announcing the launch of TVK, Vijay said the late veterans MG Ramachandran and NT Ramarao where ridiculed as mere cinema actors when they made their political plunge “but they continue to remain in the hearts of the people” of the respective states, i.e Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
“Some here have been painting anyone entering politics with a particular colour, fooling people but they will be doing underground dealings, make noises during election and always talk about fascism. And create majority-minority fears among people who are united,” he said, addressing the well-attended state public conference at Vikravandi in this district.
“You are calling an anti-people government as Dravida model rule and fooling people. Stop painting those opposing you with certain colours,” he said.
TVK’s principle is everyone is equal by birth. “Should i need to say who is opposed to this,” he asked.
Divisive forces
While the divisive forces could be identified and even reveal themselves, a corrupt entity was like a virus and elusive.
“It will enact a drama about ideology. Don the cloak of culture protector. It has no face, but only a mask. The mask is the face. The corrupt hypocrites are among us and are presently ruling us now,” Vijay said.
TVK’s one enemy was the divisive forces, while such corrupt hypocrites were the other.
“Those spoiling the country with divisive politics is TVK’s primary ideological enemy. The next is a selfish family looting Tamil Nadu in the name of Dravida model (governance), using the names of Periyar and Anna; its our political enemy,” Vijay added.
TVK will not see Dravidam and Tamil nationalism as different.
Explaining why he did not name anyone that he had criticised today, Vijay said, “I left their names out not out of fear, but we have not come here to name people and attack them using foul language.”
“We want to take forward decent politics with people’s support, a decent approach and attack for ideological and political enemies.”
“Secular social justice ideologies will be our identity; democracy, equality, rational thinking, women’s emancipation and a drugs-free Tamil Nadu (will be the focus). In our political journey, women will play a key role,” he said.
Opposes NEET
Recalling his deceased sister, he said that just like her death had impacted him, the alleged suicide of medical aspirant, S Anitha from Ariyalur in the state who could not clear NEET, also had a profound impact on him.
He argued against the need for the medical entrance exam.
The 50-year-old actor-politician said he took the political plunge to serve the people and made the decision at the height of his career and sacrificing high remuneration. The “GOAT” actor is one of the highest paid actors of Tamil cinema said to be charging crores of rupees.
Poll prospects
While he exuded confidence of ensuring maximum public support in the 2026 Assembly polls that could possibly take TVK to the ruling saddle, he would however welcome allies to join him and would also give them share in power, something Tamil Nadu is not known for.
Earlier, the party’s principles and action plan were revealed by TVK functionaries in Vijay’s presence. Its principle will be based on the Tirukkural “pirappokkum ella uyirkkum,” that says everyone is equal by birth. The party said it will strive for an equitable society without any discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, sex.
It will oppose the “anti-people policies” of the state and Central governments.
Periyar, Kamaraj, BR Ambedkar, Queen Velu Nachiyaar and freedom fighter Anjalai Ammal would be the party’s “ideological guiding lights,” Vijay said.
Periyarist policies were not about atheism but others, including social justice and women’s empowerment, for which he strove hard, Vijay said. The party would respect individual choices of faith.
The party also batted for proportional representation and wanted a caste census for that.
DMK, AIADMK flay Vijay
The ruling DMK has said that actor-politician Vijay helmed TVK has copied its ideology while main opposition AIADMK said TVK’s principles are a cocktail of current political standpoints of various parties.
While Vijay openly targeted the DMK and its first family in his debut public appearance for his party’s inaugural event on Sunday, DMK said it has seen many rivals in its long innings and will continue to be strong.
Asked on TVK’s ideological points, its hint at opposition to the office of Governor, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said, “These are all our policies, he is copying…whatever he says is what we had already said and which we are following.”
Elangovan said DMK leaders went to jail fighting for people’s cause and though the party had lost several elections, it continued to be strong.
AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan congratulated Vijay on entering politics and said he has a long way to go and deliver.
TVK’s ideology “is a mix of ideology of all parties and old wine in new bottle…a cocktail ideology taken from all political parties in Tamil Nadu.”
Asserting that ideologically BJP is nationalist and its vote bank will not be affected, BJP leader H Raja said Vijay’s party may split only the votes of Dravidian parties and the DMK could be weakened.
“I hope Mr Vijay would help me by speaking on Dravidian stock (ideology) and divide those votes,” he told reporters.
Nam Tamizhar Katchi top leader Seeman, a Tamil nationalist said “you (TVK) accept EVR Periyar and thereby Dravidam (Dravidian ideology) and they say Dravidian model (DMK’s tagline for its style of governance).” However, NTK rejects the Dravidian ideology. “What is this model for Tamil Nadu”, he demanded to know.
When reporters asked him if TVK’s open invitation to alliances and a share in power to electoral partners could be regarded as invite to his party as well, Seeman said it was not so and added that NTK’s political journey is based on its crystal clear ideology and it cannot be dependent on others.
“I have said that I will fight on my own,” he said and hinted that Vijay party’s ideology does not appear to be carefully considered.
TVK says it accepts Periyar’s rationalism but not his atheism. “Atheism is a part of rationalism.” (PTI)
