Thalapathy Vijay Is New Hope For Tamil Nadu: Check What Prashant Kishor Said At TVK First Anniversary

Jan Suraaj Party founder and renowned political strategist Prashant Kishor attended the first anniversary event of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a political party founded by popular actor Thalapathy Vijay, in Chennai on Sunday. In his address, Kishor expressed his support for Vijay and TVK, describing the party as a "movement for change" and the actor-turned-politician as the "new hope for Tamil Nadu."

What Prashant Kishor Said At TVK First Anniversary?

Kishor began his speech by greeting the audience in Tamil, saying, "Vanakkam," and humorously noted that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Tamil audiences with the same word. He then quickly shifted focus to the purpose of his visit, emphasizing that his presence was not about political strategy but about supporting a vision for change.

"Your victory or final result has nothing to do with Prashant Kishor. It has everything to do with what you do, what your leader does, and what the workers of TVK will do," Kishor said. He clarified that he was not there to strategize for TVK or to help Vijay, as the actor-turned-politician "doesn't need that help." Instead, he described Vijay as a symbol of hope and TVK as a movement representing millions who desire a new political order in Tamil Nadu.

Why Prashant Kishor Is Supporting Thalapathy

Kishor, who announced his retirement from political strategy in 2021 after working in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, explained why he decided to break his four-year hiatus. "Vijay is not a political leader for me. He is the new hope for Tamil Nadu. TVK is not just a political party; it is a movement for change," he said. He added that his decision to support TVK was based on shared values, ideals, and a common goal of bringing dignity, equality, and opportunity to the people of Tamil Nadu.

The political strategist also praised Tamil Nadu's development model, calling it superior to the much-discussed "Gujarat model." He argued that Tamil Nadu's progress in development parameters has been remarkable but stressed the need to address issues like corruption, communalism, and dynastic politics. "Tamil Nadu has held the fort against communalism, and you need to double down on that. As for dynasty, imagine if only the sons of legendary cricketers like Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar had played cricket. Would we have seen Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, or Virat Kohli?" he asked, drawing applause from the audience.

Kishor also humorously compared himself to former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, a fellow Bihari who enjoys immense popularity in Tamil Nadu due to his association with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). "Dhoni is more popular than me in Tamil Nadu, but if I help TVK win next year, I will take over Dhoni in popularity," he quipped, eliciting laughter and cheers from the crowd.

Kishor Vows To Speak In Tamil In TVK Victory Speech

Promising to return to Tamil Nadu after TVK's anticipated victory in the 2026 elections, Kishor vowed to deliver his thank-you speech in Tamil. "I don't speak Tamil now, but I will make every effort to learn enough Tamil to thank the people of Tamil Nadu after TVK's victory," he said.

Kishor's presence at the event has sparked speculation about a potential alliance or collaboration between TVK and the Jan Suraaj Party. However, Kishor reiterated that his role is not about strategy but about supporting a movement for change. "TVK under Vijay's leadership represents the hope for a new Tamil Nadu, and that is why I am here," he concluded.