Tamil Nadu Politics Gets A Third Edge: Vijay Challenges DMK-AIADMK Stronghold

Chennai:  As the voting has began for the Tamil Nadu’s Assembly elections on Thursday, the polls mark an interesting and unmistakably disruptive twist, from a long-standing DMK-AIADMK bipolar contest to triangular battle, with the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay's TVK rewriting the electoral equations.

What is triangular battle?

For decades, in Tamil Nadu, electoral politics have revolved around the DMK and the AIADMK, but with the entry of Thalapathy Vijay into the battlefield, the equation has been disrupted. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin faces no significant challenge in the Kolathur Assembly constituency, but most of Chennai's 16 seats have seen a triangular contest for the first time in decades.

Thalapathy Vijay himself is contesting from Perambur, and his candidates are challenging the DMK in several seats. Simeon's party, the NTK, is also making the election interesting in some constituencies. In the changed political landscape, several prominent figures, including TVK chief Vijay himself, BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan, and AIADMK candidate D. Jayakumar, are locked in fierce triangular contests in eight to ten constituencies.

Why are Congress and BJP lagging behind?

In any case, Congress is under pressure from the DMK, and the BJP, led by the AIADMK, is standing behind. This is why both national parties have not yet exerted the same force in Tamil Nadu as they have in West Bengal.

Despite this, even the capital, Chennai, seems to lack any electoral atmosphere. Voters' lack of interest in questions like who can or should win is surprising. While the Chennai region is a stronghold of DMK chief and current Chief Minister MK Stalin, much seems to have changed.

Why voters are reluctant is largely?

The gist of everyone's response was that power in the state has been held by either the DMK or the AIADMK since 1969. It hasn't fallen into the hands of a third party because influential leaders like Annadurai, MG Ramachandran, M. Karunanidhi, and Jayalalithaa have led their respective parties.

All of them so deeply ingrained the Dravidian model in the public's hearts that a third party never stood a chance. However, the situation has changed, or rather, is changing. The DMK is facing issues like corruption and a rise in crimes against children in the state. Meanwhile, the already divided AIADMK lacks any effective leadership.

What about actor Vijay?

Firstly, Tamil Nadu has seen the rise of silver screen stars like MGR and Jayalalithaa. Furthermore, Vijay could have influence with Christian voters.

He is also popular with the youth, but voters here are currently keeping a wait-and-see attitude regarding his political abilities. It is certain that Vijay could make enough of a dent in the vote share that the DMK or AIADMK will only be crowned with victory after a very close contest.