TVK, Led By Actor Turned Politician Vijay, Targets DMK, BJP

Actor-politician Vijay-led Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) on Sunday brainstormed its way forward in electoral politics and targeted the DMK and BJP-led governments at the state and centre over a host of issues. The fledgling party, that held its first mega public meeting on October 27, nudged the state government to hold caste survey and declared that its ideology is based on secularism and social justice.

Vijay chaired TVK's meeting of district office bearers and the executive committee here and the party deliberated 'strengthening' its organisational structure, discussed reaching out to the people and passed as many as 26 resolutions, which reflected its stand on various issues. The 50-year old actor had announced forming the party in February this year and recently, the Election Commission had duly registered the outfit.

Alleging law and order deterioration, sale of illicit arrack and increase in drug abuse among young people, TVK said rather than addressing such issues and protecting people's welfare, the DMK regime is for the welfare of some persons in power and the "executive committee is condemning the DMK government."

Furthermore, it slammed the DMK for "deceiving democracy and the people" by way of its false electoral promises to capture power in 2021. It flayed the DMK regime for increase in milk prices, property tax and hike in electricity tariff. The TVK demanded introduction of monthly power billing.

The TVK opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill and 'One Nation One election' proposal and said the Union government and its representatives (like Governor) do not have any right over any issue related to the Tamil language. Without naming Governor R N Ravi, the party criticised him on his past comments related to Tamil Nadu.

"Linguistic right is Tamil Nadu's first right," is the party's principle and the Centre's dream to impose a 'Third language,' (pointer to Hindi) contravening the state's two language policy (Tamil and English) can never be realised. The popular actor helmed party demanded scrapping the Parandur airport project opposed by farmers and people in the project-area and sought closure of liquor outlets in a time bound manner.

While the DMK had already slammed Vijay's party for 'copying' its ideological standpoints, TVK said securing 'state autonomy' is part of its ideology. Backing the demand to scrap the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, TVK wanted education to be shifted to the state list from the concurrent list of the Constitution.

On this issue, the party said it opposed the Centre for being the 'stumbling block' and DMK regime as well, which deceived the people by making false promises. TVK also borrowed the expression 'Ondriya Arasu' (Union government) from the DMK to refer to the Central government. It opposed the BJP and Centre and termed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which is under the review of a Joint Parliamentary Committee, an "attack against federalism" and wanted it to be withdrawn.

TVK said it is committed to democracy and is hence against the 'One nation, one election' proposal. The attempt to implement this idea is a threat to democracy and condemnable. In a resolution the party hit out at the DMK regime saying it cannot get away by blaming the Union government in the matter of conducting caste census.

In order to establish true social justice, the Tamil Nadu government should immediately hold a caste based study, which will be a precursor to a caste census, the party said. Under the Constitution, census figures in the Union list.

The party resolved to follow its ideology and iconic leaders including Periyar EVR, Kamaraj and Dr Ambedkar. Other resolutions passed include those on ensuring safety to women and children, protecting the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamil Nadu fishermen, and a plea for Metrorail project in Coimbatore. Forming a bench of the Supreme Court in Chennai formed part of resolutions adopted.