Trichy Member of Parliament and MDMK leader Durai Vaiko has stated that while actor-politician Vijay commands significant influence among the youth, his entry into the electoral fray will not dent the prospects of the DMK-led alliance. Instead, he claims it will lead to a split in votes that ultimately benefits their coalition.
Vijay's Popularity and the Vote Split Dynamics
Speaking to reporters in Pudukkottai on Tuesday, Durai Vaiko acknowledged Vijay's sway as a cinema star. However, he was quick to downplay any negative impact on the DMK combine. The MDMK leader clarified that his party is not seeking a share in power within any potential government. He emphasized that since Vijay has consistently maintained that the BJP is his party's ideological opponent, he will not join the NDA or the DMK alliance.
"Therefore, it will be a multi-cornered contest," Durai Vaiko explained. "Since he is against our alliance, the votes will be split, which, in fact, ensures a victory for us." He expressed confidence that the DMK alliance remains intact and is not perturbed by the formations of other parties.
Confidence in DMK's Track Record and Dismissal of BJP's Challenge
Durai Vaiko bolstered his argument by pointing to the performance of the incumbent state government. He highlighted that for the past four-and-a-half years, the Tamil Nadu government has implemented various welfare schemes for the people, suggesting a strong foundation of governance to campaign on.
When asked about BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran's recent statement that "the game will begin," Durai Vaiko responded with sarcasm. He recalled the "dance" of former state president K. Annamalai during the last election cycle. "We saw the antics of Annamalai in the last election," he remarked.
He further questioned the BJP's standalone strength, noting, "The BJP, along with other parties, secured 18% of the votes last time. But if the BJP contests alone, its true vote share will become clear." This comment was aimed at undermining the BJP's perceived growth and suggesting its previous performance was amplified by alliances.
The Road to a Multi-Cornered Contest
The analysis presented by the senior leader outlines a political landscape where Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is expected to carve out its own space, distinct from the two major blocs. This scenario, according to Durai Vaiko, fractures the anti-incumbency or opposition vote, thereby creating a clearer path for the ruling DMK alliance.
His statements reflect a strategic calculation within the coalition: to frame the election as a choice between a proven, welfare-oriented administration and a fragmented opposition where new entrants like Vijay's party and a solo-contesting BJP will divide the challenger's vote bank. The MDMK's own stance of not seeking power underscores its role as a committed alliance partner focused on the coalition's collective victory.
