Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has dismissed actor-politician Vijay’s persistent attacks on the ruling DMK, saying such tactics are necessary for new entrants to gain political visibility in the state.
Speaking to reporters just two days ahead of the Assembly elections, Stalin said his party is not concerned about the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) campaign strategy and expressed confidence that voters would back the DMK for its governance record.
“You are asking me about Vijay. As far as the DMK is concerned, anyone who wants to grow in Tamil Nadu politics has to speak against the party. The DMK is not concerned about that,” he said.
Since the start of the campaign, the DMK has largely refrained from directly attacking Vijay, in an apparent strategy to ignore him, barring a few instances in recent days.
The Chief Minister added, “When I travel across Tamil Nadu, people tell me they got employment through reservations implemented by the DMK. Wherever you go in the world, people praise the DMK. Any new entrant needs to speak about the DMK to grow, but that is not correct. The DMK is an efficient party. Many industries have come to Tamil Nadu because of its governance.”
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also took a pointed dig at Vijay, calling the actor-politician “inaccessible” and contrasting him with DMK candidates.
He urged voters not to “fall for film sets” and alleged that such leaders “will disappear into their bungalows after the elections,” while asserting that “Chief Minister Stalin is the real hero.”
Vijay, who has declared the DMK as his primary political opponent, has attempted to frame the Assembly election as a direct contest between the DMK and the TVK since the beginning of his campaign. He has consistently targeted Stalin in his rallies, raising issues such as law and order, women’s safety, and corruption.
Tamil Nadu will vote for its 234-member Assembly in a single phase on April 23, with results expected on May 4.
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