Actor-politician Vijay holds first rally in Tamil Nadu after Karur tragedy, calls DMK evil
Actor-turned-politician, Vijay attacked the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. He was speaking at a public rally in Erode district. He attacked the ruling government of the state, over law and order and questioned their intentions. His party, the TK is trying to make inroads into Dravidian strongholds, in areas which have traditionally been DMK and AIADMK bastions. The actor's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam will make its electoral debut next year.
New Delhi: Tamil actor-turned-politician, Vijay held a public rally in Erode on Thursday. This was the first public rally of the actor, post the Karur stampede, which killed 41 people. The stampede happened on September 27. At least 25,000 people are said to have attended the event. While this rally was held at the Vijayamangalam toll plaza, another public meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Thursday.
Vijay attacks DMK
Speaking at the rally on Thursday, the leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), attacked the ruling party of Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). While he called his party "pure", he described the DMK as "evil".
Talking about the ruling party in the state, Vijay said, "I repeat... the DMK is an evil force and the TVK is a pure force. The fight is between pure force and evil."
Further attacking the DMK government in the state, he said, "Can't the concern shown in Valluvar Kotam be shown in the livelihood of the people? Are they running a government? No, are they running an exhibition?" The word "exhibition" used by the actor-turned-politician was a reference to the exhibition being held in Chennai's Valluvar Kotam in connection with the film Parasakthi.
He further attacked the "plotters", who he said were continuously blaming him. He said that "the bond he shared with the people has not began today or yesterday, but it was a bond that has existed for 30 years." He said that his bond with the people of the state, began ever since he started doing films and this fact, according to Vijay, has gone unnoticed by his rivals.
He said that the people will not abandon him, no matter what his political rivals did. He claimed to have left everything behind and come forward for the sake of the people of the state.
Vijay thanked people for their support. He accused the ruling dispensation of spreading false stories about their achievements. He said that they have done nothing for the people of the state and kept spreading rumours.
Throughout his speech, Vijay kept attacking the DMK. He attacked the government over the poor law and order situation in the state, and also questioned their decision to seek exemption from the all India medical NEET examination.
Political significance of Erode
Vijay held the rally in Erode, often seen as a stronghold of Dravidians. This is also the birthplace of EV Ramasamy, or 'Periyar'. By holding the rally here, it seems that the actor-politician is trying to claim the legacy of Periyar and establish his socio-political credentials among the voters of the state.
The Erode district has 8 Assembly seats. Of these Erode (East) and (West), and Anthiyur are held by the DMK. Of the remaining 6, 1 is currently held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This seat is Modakkurichi. Four other seats are with the AIADMK.
If Vijay's party manages to win even one of the seats, this will be a strong message to the Dravidian parties in the state. The TVK makes its electoral debut in next year's Assembly Elections.