'Thalapathy' In Politics: Is Vijay's TVK, The B-Team Of The BJP In Tamil Nadu?

Tamil actor Vijay has become the latest film personality from Kollywood to foray into politics. The actor, who has been nurturing ambitions for over a decade now, on Friday announced the name of his party - 'Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam'.

His entry has been welcomed by fans even as TV and YouTube channels are having big debates around the possible impact on Tamil Nadu politics. With the actor enjoying huge popularity among the audience, many are of the view that parties cannot take him lightly.

The air was thick with speculation, and the question on everyone's mind is whether Vijay was aligned with any political party. The term "B team" started to circulate, with many wondering if he was secretly supporting the BJP or if his entry is an orchestrated move to sway the political balance.

The AIADMK is quick to label his party as the "B team" of the BJP. "The cat is out of the bag finally; actor Vijay had political aspirations a decade ago and what's happening right now in Tamil Nadu is after our leader announced the termination of alliance with BJP for Lok Sabha as well as for the forthcoming assembly (elections), now the desperate attempt of BJP is coming to the front," said AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan.

Kovai Sathyan has also claimed that the saffron party had first tried to bring Rajinikanth to politics, but failed in its attempt. "BJP tried their luck with Rajinikanth and forced him to come into politics but somehow he escaped and now the next bait is Vijay because BJP needs a face from the movie world to grow in Tamil Nadu...Good luck to BJP and Vijay, that's all we can say," added Kovai Sathyan.

What BJP Says?
Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai has rubbished the talks saying, "We are people's A team. The BJP is India and Tamils' A team."

"The #DMK will already be sharpening its knives to brand #Vijay and #TVKVijay a B team of the #BJP. This is a distraction they could have happily not wanted. It remains to be seen how Vijay and his party take shape. A lot remains to be seen," an independent journalist Saikiran tweeted.

However, there are people who think that the possibility of Vijay having a secret alliance with the BJP is less since the actor had run into trouble with the saffron party earlier. The state BJP leaders had called for a ban on the actor's movie 'Mersal' over comments on the GST and digital India.

Notably, H Raja had targeted Vijay over his religion.

"#Vijay always against BJP throughout the years we can see them in his movies especially during #mersal time. As of now BJP need to test his power in tamilnadu. So he may not be bjp b-team so everything will decide only by what stand vijay takes," one user said on X.

One section of people thinks that Vijay's entry might affect Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai. "I just believe that @actorvijay sir's entry into politics all of a sudden is to divide the votes of Hindus who might support @annamalai_k sir. I don't believe #Vijay sir is a serious politician. He will come back to cinema after a short break."

Which Party Will Get Affected By BJP's Entry To Politics?
An online Twitter poll on journalist Sumanth Raman showed that the DMK will be hit by Vijay's entry into politics. 50 per cent of the voters felt that the ruling government would face the heat while 17 per cent of people believed that the BJP would be affected by the actor's entry into politics.

Vijay's Entry
In a statement on Friday, Vijay announced the launch of his party 'Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam'. He expressed concern over the current political situation that was fraught with "administrative deterioration," corruption and "divisive politics," that impeded unity.

"I have decided to complete the film I have already committed to, without affecting the party work and completely involve myself in the politics of public service. I consider this as my gratitude towards the people of Tamil Nadu," Vijay stated.

The actor has a fan club called Vijay Makkal Iyakkham. It already has thousands of fans spread across the state. The organisation engages in welfare activities. Recently, the fans club honoured the toppers from the public exams from Tamil Nadu.

The statement reads, "To my best, the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam has been doing a lot of public welfare activities for the past many years. But a lot of political changes cannot be made only through a non-profit organisation, a political power is needed. You all know the current political scenario. Wrongful administration and corrupt politics is on one hand, on the other hand is discriminative politics to divide our people. On two sides obstacles have been placed for our development and unity."

"All are carving for good politics, especially Tamil Nadu each people are carving for Selfless, truthful Politics with foresight and non corrupt government without caste - religion differences and with good administration. Very importantly, that Politics would be based on our Indian Constitution to apt with Tamil Nadu State rights and will be based on this soil 'By Birth all are same' ideology," the statement added.Vijay stated further that Tamil people are the ones who gave him everything and he wanted to give it back to them.