AIADMK Leader Critiques Actor Vijay Ahead of Tamil Nadu Elections
Ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, AIADMK leader Sellur Raju has raised concerns about actor Vijay's political aspirations, comparing him to Kamal Haasan's recent alliance with the DMK. Raju emphasized that the public will ultimately decide Vijay's political presence and expressed confidence in the AIADMK-led coalition's victory. He also noted that while Vijay attracts large crowds due to his celebrity status, the true test of his political appeal will come with sustained public engagement. Raju's remarks highlight the challenges faced by actors transitioning into politics.
Dec 30, 2025, 13:23 IST
AIADMK's Concerns Over Vijay's Political Aspirations
As Tamil Nadu gears up for the upcoming assembly elections, senior leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Sellur Raju, has expressed skepticism about actor Vijay's political ambitions. He remarked that he hopes Vijay does not end up like Kamal Haasan, who formed an alliance with the ruling DMK for just one seat. During a press conference, Raju stated, "Many actors have ventured into politics. Kamal Haasan also launched a party claiming to combat corruption, yet he has now allied with the DMK for a single seat. I hope Vijay does not follow the same path."
In response to Vijay's assertion that the electoral contest is solely between his party and the DMK, Raju emphasized that the public will ultimately determine their presence on the ground. He noted that the crowd at Vijay's rallies is expected due to his status as a professional actor, suggesting that if Vijay were to meet the public repeatedly, the turnout might dwindle.
Raju further commented that it is up to the people to decide whether they are genuinely engaged in the field. He expressed confidence that the AIADMK-led coalition would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections. He added that he does not feel compelled to respond to every statement made by Vijay, who is relatively new to politics. Raju mentioned that if Vijay were to hold a rally with comedian Vadivelu, the turnout would likely surpass that of Vijay's own gatherings. He acknowledged that Vijay has a significant fan base.
Additionally, Raju referenced an audio launch event in Malaysia where Vijay asked his fans whether he should continue working in cinema. The fans encouraged him to keep acting, to which Vijay reportedly replied, 'Let's see.' Raju speculated that the crowd might be gathering primarily to see Vijay. However, he suggested that if Vijay were to meet the public consistently, it would be interesting to see how many people actually show up. Regarding speculation about the BJP forming an alliance with TVK, the AIADMK leader stated that it is their own decision. Nevertheless, Raju cautioned that Vijay has neither contested elections nor contributed significantly to the public.