Chennai, March 18 (IANS) BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will need to bank on the charisma of actor-turned-politician A. Vijayakanth in the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.
The 61-year-old Vijayakanth finds himself in choppy political waters with many of his legislators deserting him. But many believe that the 'Captain', as he is widely known after his movie "Captain Prabhakaran", could end up playing a major role when Tamil Nadu picks 39 members for the Lok Sabha in April.
Bharatiya Janata Party leaders say their party's alliance with Vijayakanth's DMDK and other parties will pose a major challenge to the two main established parties of Tamil Nadu: the AIADMK and the DMK.
The BJP-DMDK alliance is important since tensions now plague relations between the BJP and the AIADMK. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and Modi were widely known to be friends for a long time.
"This is the first time in Tamil Nadu that a formidable front has been formed against the AIADMK and DMK," BJP state secretary K.T. Raghavan told IANS.
The alliance also includes Vaiko's MDMK, the PMK and smaller outfits such as the IJK and KNMDK.
In 2011, the DMDK was wooed into AIADMK's mega alliance to oust the DMK government. The DMDK won 29 seats to become the second largest in the 235-member assembly. Vijayakanth became the leader of the opposition.
He was the flavour of the election season.
Raghavan explained how Vijayakanth - also known as "Karuppu MGR" (Black MGR) - could help the BJP make major gains in Tamil Nadu.
"There is a committed work force with the DMDK. The BJP can have the comfort of the Modi wave. To convert that wave into votes it needs feet on the ground which the DMDK has," the BJP leader told IANS.
"Further, Vijayakanth has appeal across the state - amongst Dalits, youths and the middle class."
But some argue that the DMDK has been overrated by the BJP. The DMDK is tipped to contest 14 Lok Sabha seats.
"It is a crucial election for Vijayakanth," Ramu Manivannan, a political science professor in the University of Madras, told IANS.
According to him, Vijayakanth's political future hinges on factors like the DMDK winning a considerable number of Lok Sabha seats and the party joining a BJP-led government in New Delhi - if the BJP does take power.
Another BJP leader told IANS: "We are aware of Vijayakanth's political predicaments. But it is a fact that the DMDK polled around 10 percent of votes in the 2009 Lok Sabha election."
"The 10 percent vote share proves there is a sizable segment of people who are in search of an alternative to the AIADMK and DMK," he added.
On his part, 'Captain' Vijayakanth is hoping to steer his DMDK 'ship' from choppy waters.
If he does well in the Lok Sabha battle, he is sure to mount an attack on Fort St. George, the seat of political power in Tamil Nadu, in 2016.
India, US moving towards civil n-deal: Obama
New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) We have achieved a breakthrough and are moving towards full implementation of the civil nuclear energy deal, said US President Barack Obama here Sunday.Obama said there
IND vs WI 1st T20: Captain Hardik told the reason for the defeat, blamed him, said- If wicket falls in T20...
The Indian cricket team started the five-match T20 series against the West Indies with a defeat. West Indies defeated India by four runs in the first T20 on Thursday. The performance of the Indian
Russia-Ukraine War: Indigo's special flight arrived in Delhi carrying 229 Indians from Romania
Today is the 10th day of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Many cities in Ukraine are constantly being bombed by the Russian military. Meanwhile, Operation Ganga is being run by the Government of
COP27: President of Egypt told Foreign Minister Jaishankar – Rs 574 billion. business is not enough, it should be increased further
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar called on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during his visit to Egypt on Sunday. Extending the Prime Minister's best wishes, he said that during his presidency,
Don't ban 'India's Daughter': Panelists
New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Increasing violence against women and stifling of debate were among the issues highlighted at a discussion relating to the controversial documentary "India's Daugther"
Corona: Home Ministry orders supply of oxygen to states, serious patients will get 'new life'
The pressure on hospitals has increased amidst increasing cases of corona in the country. There is a shortage of oxygen in many states. Because of the situation, the Ministry of Home Affairs has
We walk away with our heads held high: McCullum
Melbourne, March 29 (IANS) New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum on Sunday said they might not have won the World Cup but they played a good brand of cricket and walk away with their heads held
Odisha Congress backs Manmohan Singh, seeks CBI probe into CM's role
Bhubaneswar, March 17 (IANS) The Odisha unit of the Congress on Tuesday expressed solidarity with former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who was summoned in the coal scam case, and demanded that
Corona is uncontrollable in 36 districts of nine states: restrictions will increase or lockdown will be imposed, what does the rule of the Ministry of Health say?
India's first delegation will set out today on a mission, 'Pak Expose', the world will see the real face of Pakistan with evidence.
After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, India has tightened its grip on Pakistan and terrorism on every front.
