Vijay has achieved a historic victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, winning 108 seats with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). This marks a major challenge to the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK.
As of midday Tuesday, Vijay contested from two constituencies and won both: Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East. He claimed a margin of victory of 38,000 votes in Perambur and 27,216 votes in Tiruchirappalli East. His party garnered approximately 35% of the popular vote.
The election saw an unprecedented turnout of 85.1%, the highest ever recorded for a Tamil Nadu assembly election. The DMK secured only 59 seats while AIADMK managed to get 47 seats.
Vijay announced his entry into politics in February 2024, following a tradition where many Tamil cinema stars have transitioned into political roles. His victory signifies a significant shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, ending a 59-year cycle of DMK and AIADMK rule.
Reactions from the film industry:
- Riteish Deshmukh congratulated Vijay on social media, stating, “Huge congratulations to @actorvijay on this incredible and monumental victory.”
- Nivin Pauly expressed his admiration with, “Massive congrats to @actorvijay anna on this remarkable victory in Tamil Nadu.”
- Gouri Kishan added, “Such a historic win Vijay sir. Can’t wait to see the changes you’re gonna bring to the state of TN.”
Despite his success, uncertainties remain regarding the release date of Vijay’s upcoming film ‘Jana Nayagan’, which has faced delays due to certification issues.
The next steps involve Vijay forming a government and potentially negotiating support from smaller parties. His party may not require an elaborate coalition to govern.
