By T Aziz Luthfullah
Tamils all over the world would never forget the fateful Monday, the 4th May 2026 when the Vijay Magic demolished the Dravidian Fortress. The success story of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) was phenomenal, momentous and unprecedented. Actor Vijay and TVK rose to power with 108 seats (out of 234) and secured 35% vote share leaving behind the Secular Progressive Alliance led by DMK (79 seats and 31%) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by AIADMK (47 seats and 27%) and the Nam Tamizhar Katchi ended up with zero seats and 4% vote share.
It should also be noted that Vijay’s TVK could succeed in reaching the magic number of 118 with the help of secular parties only. Even after getting a whopping 35% vote share he won 108 seats only in the house of 234. At the end, those parties from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance helped him secure a wafer-thin majority.
It was the least expected outcome. Vijay & TVK bulldozed their way to glory, defying poll predictions, demolishing the predictions and projections of exit polls and psephologists. Above all, Actor Vijay obliterated the decades old domination of DMK-AIADMK duopoly. Vijay was not the first one to attempt to break the domination of Dravidian parties. There were series of attempts over the decades from Vaiko (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MDMK), Actor Vijay Kanth (Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam DMDK), Makkal Nala Koottani, Actor Kamal Hassan (Makkal Needhi Maiyam) over three decades could not make it. At last Actor Vijay has succeeded in his maiden attempt to end the dominance.
The beauty of the success story of Vijay is that he weaved his tale of victory with the Dravidian fabric of Secularism, Social Justice, Casteless society, Freedom of Women, Equality, Brotherhood, Education, Ethics, etc. Clearly, he was aware that the Hindu-Muslim Hate politics would not gel with the Tamil society and Tamil polity. Hence he carefully, consciously avoided the vexed anti-Muslim hate politics and embraced the Pirappokkum Yella Uyirkkum – All beings are equal by birth – the core principle of Dravidian ethos.
He declared both the ruling parties viz DMK in the State and BJP in the Centre as enemies and classified DMK as his ‘Political Enemy’ and BJP as his ‘Ideological Enemy’. He was very shrewd in projecting his anti-BJP views without openly antagonising the BJP. He ridiculed the DMK. He chided the DMK dynasty. He scathingly attacked the DMK style of governance. But he was silent on BJP. He was very cautious about issues concerning the Union Government, always vigilant in avoiding confrontation with BJP.
Even in his oath taking speech too Vijay has assured that he would not break the Dravidian polity or deviate from the Dravidian ethos. “This is a new beginning. A new era of secular, social justice,” he declared underling that he would not discard the Dravidian philosophy.
Women, youth, farmers, government employees, teachers, working people, fishermen – everyone will be taken care under the TVK government. Asserting that equality was his party’s unwavering fundamental principle, Vijay said, the TVK regime will stand with “minority brothers,” and there need not be any doubts about that. “The face of Vijay is the face for (representing) Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. You can trust this Vijay 100 per cent,” he said and thanked the people for elevating him to the top public office in the state.
But, he meticulously, repeatedly resorted to different kind of hate speech – anti-DMK hate speech. His speeches were full of hatred towards the DMK, the DMK Family, the DMK governance, etc. He declared DMK as an evil force and proclaimed himself and TVK as a noble force. This has been the norm of Dravidian politics too. MGR and later Jayalalitha resorted to such anti-DMK hate speeches. This is one of the startling ironies of Dravidian politics. And Vijay signalled that he would be dropping this norm and declared that I will ensure upholding law and order and assure protection for everyone.” Even those who humiliated him, those who caused him trouble, “they are also my people, aren’t they,” he asked. Whether they are friends or enemies, all eight crore people are my people. “Aren’t they?”
These noble thoughts and inclusive approach and secular politics of Vijay are heartening, refreshing and soothing to the wounded hearts of North India.
