Vijay's earthshaking show in TN elections 2026

 

நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள குடி இருக்கும் -  ஹேய் நம்ம சனம் வெறித்தனம்

 

TN polls 2026 verdict is distinctly different – TVK making a dent was expected but not a Victory of this size (though official results would take a few more hours!)  Almost all Exit polls and Political pundits got it wrong !!  Some are shocked, some never expected but the ground reality is far different – spelt true and harsh on the Dravidan parties.  History repeats itself – but one cannot call it simply Cinema, Cinema, though it is a Hero winning this time !! 

Before you read further – whom do you think when you hear NTk [Naam Tamilar Katchi]   -  Seeman, a Tamil film director and leader who daringly went alone in Vivasayi symbol  - roll back to 1967 !! 

Decades ago, in that watershed election – both Congress and DMK used films and actors for campaigning. Gemini Studios produced a political film for the Congress – Vazhga Nam Thayagam starring Shivaji Ganesan and Nagesh. Sivaji and Padmini worked for the Congress party. Despite its efforts, Congress could not counter the DMK's propaganda, which had a long  association with the Tamil Film industry. MGR's films were used to attack Congress policies and to popularise DMK's positions. Similar to the tactics employed in the elections of 1957 and 1962, film songs and dialogues from Kaanji Thalaivan (1963), "Deivathai (1964), "Padakotti (1964)", Aayirathil Oruvan", Enga Veettu Pillai (1965), Anbe Vaa (1966), Naan Aanaiyittal (1966), and more  were used for political messaging. Lesser known film stars like Ravichandran and Jaishankar used their films for praising DMK and Annadurai.   

The fourth legislative assembly election of Madras State (later renamed as Tamil Nadu) was held in February 1967. The DMK led coalition under the leadership of C.N. Annadurai won the election defeating the Indian National Congress. Anti-Hindi agitations, the rising prices of essential commodities, and a shortage of rice were the dominant issues. K. Kamaraj's resignation as the Chief Minister in 1963, to concentrate on party affairs, along with persistent rumors of corruption had weakened the incumbent Congress Government.  Annadurai, who became the first non-Congress chief minister of post-independence Tamil Nadu, died in office in 1969 and V.R. Nedunchezhiyan took over as acting chief minister. Since then, except for brief months of President's rule, only Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its splitaway Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have formed cabinets in the State. 

                   Weeks before the 1967 polls, popular actor and DMK candidate MG  Ramachandran (MGR) was shot in the throat by actor M.R. Radha. Images of MGR in a hospital bed generated a massive sympathy wave for the DMK. Thiru Kamaraj’s resignation as Chief Minister in 1963 to focus on party work (the "K-Plan") left the state under M. Bhaktavatsalam, who lacked Kamaraj's charisma and struggled with the food crisis and agitations.  The King maker  lost his   Virudhunagar seat to a student leader, P. Seenivasan, by a margin of 1,285 votes and the outgoing Chief Minister M. Bhaktavatsalam lost his Sriperumbudur seat.   

It established a two-party system in Tamil Nadu, where the INC has never since managed to return to power on its own.  Come 2026 – it was sought to be an election where ruling DMK would prevail warding off the challenge from AIADMK.   .. .. .. it clearly is Vijay’s TVK wave !!! 

A peculiar situation – DMK cries that ADMK-BJP combine has failed; they are celebrating the fall of DMK Govt.  meantime amidst high excitement, a party branded as that of simple cine followers has challenged and changed the dynamics of Tamil Nadu politics.  

Though some may try to claim that they predicted .. ..  none expected that Vijay’s newly formed TVK would garner so much of vote share and so many seats.  

·        It was a newly formed party with no organizational structure

·        It lacked political heavyweights and depended solely on Vijay’s tinsel fame

·        Its followers were branded as uneducated, lacking political knowledge

·        Most of its candidates were not so well known

·        Vijay did not follow the beaten path of campaigning in all constituencies

·        There was a big setback earlier to that awful incident in Karur – the deaths of fans lingered and was heavily criticized

·        His personal life was in turmoil and his relationship with another actress was much talked about.  

·        Apparently he did not distribute money for votes while there were news of major party doing that

·        Some said in Metropolis of educated people, he is unlikely to succeed

·        Some said, his vote back is cine-going youth of 18 – 35 and elderly people may not vote for him

·        There was ridicule / memes and more on him and his party

·        Then he made a tall claim that children would plead and force their parents to vote for him !!

·        To his credit, he did not delay his entry as the Super Star and stood firm unlike Ulaga Nayakan. 

There were some news that he might have alliance with Congress – that did not happen !! He fought alone, brave and extremely confident.  Tamil Nadu may not change overnight but Actor Vijay has certainly brought a great change overnight and he deserves appreciation for that.  ..  that entails a whistle for him !    

Returning back to that watershed election of 1967 - DMK and its coalition allies won 179 seats (76.5%). The Indian National Congress won 51 seats (21.8%).  Four candidates of the Naam Thamizhar Party led by S. P. Adithanar and two candidates of Tamil Arasu Kazhagam led by M. P. Sivagnanam contested under DMK's "Rising Sun" Symbol.   SP Adithanar  lost the 1962 election from Tiruchendur; was later elected to the Madras Legislative Council in 1964.  The party contested in the 1967 election as a part of the coalition led by the DMK  & 4 members of the party were elected to the Assembly, including Adithanar, who won from Srivaikuntam.  Later that year, Adithanar disbanded the party and joined the DMK

 
Great Show TVK
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
4.5.2026