I Will Be More Popular Than Thala Dhoni In Tamil Nadu In 2026: Prashant Kishor Declares At TVK Event

Renowned political strategist and Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Wednesday humorously claimed that he will surpass the popularity of Indian cricket legend Mahendra Singh in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking at the first-anniversary event of Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Kishor jokingly made a comparison between his political influence and Dhoni's iconic status in the state.

MS Dhoni enjoys a huge fan following in Tamil Nadu due to his association with Chennai Superkings in the Indian Premiere League.

What Prashant Kishor Said?

While addressing the audience, Kishor took a swipe at dynasty politics, using cricket as an analogy. He remarked, "Many of us don't pay attention to dynasty. Just imagine, if the sons of legendary cricketers like Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar had taken up cricket, how would this country have seen Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, or Virat Kohli?"

The discussion then shifted to Dhoni's massive following in Tamil Nadu. Kishor acknowledged the cricketer's unparalleled popularity, stating, "There is a lot of chatter about MS Dhoni. He is the only Bihari who is more popular than me in Tamil Nadu." However, he was quick to set the stage for a political battle of popularity, asserting, "Dhoni is more popular than Prashant Kishor in Tamil Nadu, but make no mistake-next year, when I help you win, I will be taking over Dhoni in popularity."

Kishor Predicts Victory For Vijay

Engaging with the crowd, Kishor posed a rhetorical challenge, "Do you agree or not? If I help TVK win next year, who would be more popular-my fellow Bihari MS Dhoni, who makes Chennai Super Kings win every time, or me?" He continued, "So, I have my own battle to win in Tamil Nadu. I have to compete with MS Dhoni, who makes Chennai Super Kings win, and I will make TVK under your leader's guidance win. That is why I am here."

Beyond his comparison to Dhoni, Kishor expressed his vision for TVK, emphasizing that the movement represents a shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. "TVK is not a political party for me; it is a movement of millions who want to see a new political order. Enough of what you have been seeing for the last 30-35 years," he declared.

He reinforced his support for TVK and its leader, actor-politician Vijay, stating, "It is time for change, and TVK under the leadership of Vijay reflects and represents that change. When I spoke to him, I found shared values, ideals, ideology, and above all, a shared goal-the desire to bring change in the lives of the majority of our fellow citizens."