MADURAI: In English, we often refer to an idiom or a metaphor ‘Bed of Roses’ to describe a situation to say that things will be easy or we say it will not be a bed of roses if that existing prevailing situation is not that easy to achieve.
After seeing the top Tamil film actor Vijay’s political rally and his ramp walk at Vikravandi near Villupuram in Tamil Nadu on October 27th 2024 evening from where announced his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party’s policies, there is no doubt to say that his maiden political speech from a huge public platform is a blockbuster hit,
But, at the same time, there is an element of strong caution to the just born party that it will not be a ramp of roses or a bed of roses and a cakewalk for the ‘Thalapathi’ even as he strongly voiced his stand and mentioned his political opponents for the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
CHIRANJEEVI IS AN EXAMPLE:
What should be borne in mind by actor Vijay and his TVK team is the classic example of great actor Chiranjeevi who floated his ‘Praja Rajyam’ party in Andhra Pradesh in the year 2008 from Tirupati in the presence of lakhs and lakhs of his fans and public. In fact, Chiranjeevi is much more popular in AP than what Vijay is in Tamil Nadu today.
The launch of Praja Rajyam party was a colourful hi-tech digital affair even at that time itself, but in the AP assembly elections Mr.Chiranjeevi’s party could win just 18 MLAs (out of total 292 assembly constituencies) much to the disappointment of ‘Praja Rajyam’ party boss even though some top leaders from other political parties and caste outfits’ leaders joined his party.
What happened finally was that Mr.Chiranjeevi merged his party with the same Congress party which he attacked in the election campaign, just within three years of starting the party. So, popularity-fame-glamour and resources alone do not matter in the elections and voting pattern.
LEARN FROM PAWAN KALYAN:
The best latest successful example is of ‘Power Star’ Pawan Kalyan who is also from Andhra Pradesh and his Jana Sena party is now being talked about across India for his resounding success in the AP assembly elections 2024 thanks to his patience and perseverance.
But, he struggled a lot from the days of his own brother Chiranjeevi’s party as youth wing chief from the year 2008, and after that party was merged with the Congress he launched his own ‘Jana Sena’ party in 2014. He and his cadres underwent many political and organizational challenges till the recent polls.
Mr.Pawan Kalyan lost in the both the assembly seats from where he contested in 2019 elections, at one stage he associated with the Communists, after that went to the BJP, again came out of the BJP friendship etc on State issues and after a full decade of tireless work, the popular Telugu actor could consolidate his political life and the party position after forging an mutually respected-unconditional strong alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the recent elections 2024. His wait was for more than 10 years and today it rewarded him as the Deputy Chief Minister of AP and a most sought after for his political stand that gave him success due to right alignment and adjustment.
WHERE IS THE SPACE AND WHAT IS THE REASON?
As a journalist who is closely following Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana political scene for past few decades, I think film actor Vijay’s TVK has no space in the already crowded Dravdian space in Tamil Nadu because there is visibly no strong discontent with the DMK government and Chief Minister Mr.M.K.Stalin on the ground except the main demands for good roads and basic infra needs.
The mention of MGR and NTR in Vijay’s speech yesterday is not relevant for the 2026 elections because for NTR it was a one-liner of Telugu pride in the 80s and for MGR too it was almost the same sentiment. I can say that NTR did not address from this sort of huge grand hi-tech public meetings across the united Andhra Pradesh as I saw at Vikravandi on October 27th 2024. NTR came simple in an ordinary vehicle but lakhs and lakhs of people turned up including me in 1982 when I was a school student.
For MGR and NTR, there was a reason to launch their parties whereas for actor Vijay there is no such desperation among the people or voters (except for his fans). Right now, there is no space for a new party. But it is time for the AIADMK to gear up for 2026 elections and it is not for the DMK.
BE HUMBLE, DON’T ASPIRE TO BE CM:
When there are seasoned leaders in many States who are now working from the sidelines, it is very essential for the Vijay’s TVK party to play second fiddle to established parties in Tamil Nadu in his first innings 2026 elections. There will not be a better example than the greatly admired actor Vijaykant and how his DMDK became an also-present party today despite the late actor’s commitment to the people of Tamil Nadu.
So, it is better for the debu leader Vijay to focus on organizational structure rather than dialogues, script and punches on DMK or the BJP or anybody else for that matter. If he follows humility and humble approach like Mr.Chiranjeevi or Mr.Pawan Kalyan, it will yield dividends in the future.
So, Mr.Vijay should not be a man in hurry and better if he stops attacking both the Centre and the State at the same time from his ‘Thuppakki’.
