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His latest political intervention was about the recent killing of Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu state leader of Bahujan Samaj Party. Vijay condemned the murder of Armstrong, who was hacked to death by assailants one of whom was later shot dead by police.
Tamil actor-turned politician ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay is planning to organise a rally similar to Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra (Unite India rally) that had helped the latter’s fortunes in the general elections this summer.
Vijay, born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, had launched a political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in February this year ahead of the elections but did not do much in this poll season.
According to local media reports, Vijay plans to walk throughout the southern Tamil Nadu state, similar to Rahul Gandhi’s movement.
Ahead of this, the party will hold its state meeting. There will be four zonal meetings too.
Vijay plans to reach 100 assembly constituencies of the state on foot along with his supporters. Similar to Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra, he will directly interact with the people.
Vijay was shooting a movie abroad and was unwell during the polling date in Lok Sabha elections but still made it to vote, visibly sick. The film, GOAT, was being filmed in Russia at the time, and he flew back to India for voting. GOAT will release in September.
So far, Vijay had not called any meeting of TVK since announcing his political entry. It was expected that he will hold a major rally in Madurai on the occasion of his 50th birthday, which falls on 22 June. But he postponed birthday celebrations in the wake of a spurious liqour tragedy in Kallakurichi, that left people 61 dead.
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He had criticised the MK Stalin government for the tragedy. This was his first major intervention since entering politics.
Vijay had also organised an event with students of class 10 and 12. At that event, he went on a broadside against the drug mafia in the state. It was also noteworthy that he sat with students from the Dalit community, instead of taking the stage.
His latest intervention was about the recent killing of local leader of Bahujan Samaj Party, Armstrong. Vijay condemned the murder of Armstrong, who was hacked to death by assailants one of whom was later shot dead by police.
He called the incident shocking and painful, and offered condolences to Armstrong’s family.
It is being seen by observers that Vijay is targeting the votes of Dalits and those from downtrodden communities, who he had championed in several of his massively successful films.
(With inputs from agencies)
Vinod Janardhanan
Vinod Janardhanan is the digital content lead of this website. His life is more interesting inside his head, where sparks on global politics, entertainment, music
