Does the rise of Vijay end an era in Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian politics?

By Rajkumar Sinha* 

Tamil Nadu’s contemporary politics has witnessed a historic shift. Breaking the decades-long dominance of the two major Dravidian parties — Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam — actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, emerged as the single largest force by winning 107 seats in the 234-member Assembly. Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi had initially declined Vijay’s claim to form the government, despite the TVK founder meeting the Governor twice and requesting an invitation to establish the administration. A petition was also filed in the Supreme Court challenging the delay in inviting Vijay to form the government. In a parliamentary democracy governed by the Constitution, whether a party or coalition commands a majority can ultimately be tested only on the floor of the House.

At the same time, reports surfaced of discussions between the DMK and AIADMK regarding attempts to form a government under the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami, a move critics described as contrary to the electoral mandate. There were also internal discussions in political circles about the possible imposition of President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu. Eventually, TVK secured the support of the Congress, Left parties, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. The Indian Union Muslim League also announced unconditional support to TVK. While 118 legislators were required to form the government, the alliance ultimately secured the backing of 121 MLAs, clearing the path for the formation of a TVK-led government.

Vijay himself won from two Assembly constituencies in the election, although he will have to vacate one seat after assuming office as Chief Minister. Despite TVK emerging as the largest party after the Assembly elections, Vijay faced considerable political obstacles in staking claim to power. Observers believe that the role of Rahul Gandhi was significant in helping resolve the deadlock. Vijay was sworn in on Sunday as the ninth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, along with nine ministers in his cabinet.

The rise of TVK is being viewed as a major development in Tamil Nadu politics. It is not merely the story of a film star entering politics, but also the outcome of changing socio-political realities in the state, the aspirations of young voters, and the emerging vacuum within Dravidian politics. Vijay is among the most popular stars in Tamil cinema, and his films have often highlighted themes such as social justice, anti-corruption, and youth empowerment. Over the years, his fan network evolved into a highly organised structure, which has now been transformed into a political organisation.

So far, TVK has avoided aligning itself completely with any single ideological pole. The party seeks to project an “inclusive” image while retaining elements of Dravidian identity, social justice, and Tamil pride. By focusing on employment opportunities, transparent governance, and administrative reforms, Vijay has attempted to connect a new generation of voters with Dravidian politics. In this election, the AIADMK’s vote share reportedly declined by nearly 12 percent. The party not only slipped to third place but also lost the status of the principal opposition party.

Both the DMK and AIADMK draw ideological inspiration from the principles of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and C. N. Annadurai, including social justice, secularism, and opposition to Hindi imposition. Since 1967, Tamil Nadu has been governed alternately by these two Dravidian parties. Both have also maintained deep links with the film industry, where leaders frequently emerged as scriptwriters or actors.

The DMK was founded in 1949 after Annadurai broke away from Periyar over differences regarding political participation and electoral politics. Later, iconic actor M. G. Ramachandran split from the DMK following differences with M. Karunanidhi and established the AIADMK in 1972. The party was subsequently led by J. Jayalalithaa, another celebrated figure from Tamil cinema. The history of Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu stretches back more than a century, beginning with the establishment of the Justice Party in 1916 and evolving through ideological and political struggles that shaped today’s DMK and AIADMK.

The Justice Party emerged from the non-Brahmin movement, which challenged Brahmin dominance in administration and education. Later, Periyar transformed the movement into the Dravidar Kazhagam, which advocated social reform and the idea of an independent “Dravida Nadu.” Tamil Nadu’s politics has long been considered distinct from that of other Indian states because of the central role played by caste, language, regional identity, secularism, and social justice. Although the DMK and AIADMK originated from the same Dravidian movement and share broadly similar ideological roots, they remained fierce political rivals for decades and dominated Tamil politics for more than half a century.

The 1967 Assembly election marked a decisive turning point in Tamil Nadu politics, when the DMK defeated the Congress and came to power under Annadurai’s leadership. It was the first time a regional party had removed the Congress from power in the state. After Annadurai’s death, Karunanidhi emerged as the DMK’s dominant leader. Following Annadurai’s passing in 1969, Karunanidhi served as Chief Minister five times and created a record by winning all 13 Assembly elections contested until 2016. In 2018, amid concerns over his deteriorating health, the DMK elected M. K. Stalin as party president.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Tamil Nadu politics became largely defined by the rivalry between Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa. Their political confrontation was intense and visible everywhere, from the Assembly floor to public protests on the streets.

While cinematic popularity remains important in Tamil Nadu politics, history has shown that stardom alone is insufficient to secure lasting political success. M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa succeeded because they built strong party organisations alongside welfare-oriented political models. New parties are often criticised for revolving around a single personality. If TVK succeeds in promoting multiple leadership faces and institutional structures, it may establish itself as an organisation-based political force rather than a personality-driven movement.

Regional and caste balance remain highly significant in Tamil Nadu politics. If Vijay is perceived as representing a particular community, the party may need to elevate leaders from other castes and religious backgrounds in order to build a broader social coalition. Ultimately, Vijay’s popularity and the long-term success of TVK will depend on how effectively he can develop a strong organisation, articulate clear policies, and establish credible political leadership in the years ahead.

---

*Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Union