DMK, AIADMK dismiss Vijay's TVK as 'old wine'; BJP is happy

A day after Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay unveiled his political ambitions with a massive rally, the DMK and the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu’s two dominant parties, brushed aside any challenges his new party will pose to them.

While the DMK claimed that Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) had merely copied its ideology, the AIADMK called the new party’s ideas “a mix of ideology of all parties and old wine in new bottle”.

Nam Tamizhar Katchi leader Seeman, a Tamil nationalist, said Vijay’s ideology does not seem to be carefully considered. BJP leader H Raja said Vijay's party may split only the votes of the Dravidian parties.

Also read: Vijay's TVK party resolutions do not tread a new, trail-blazing path 

Targetting DMK

Hundreds of thousands of people turned up at Vijay's rally on October 27 at Vikravandi town in Villupuram district where the actor unveiled his dream of taking on the established, veteran political actors in Tamil Nadu.

While Vijay openly targeted the DMK and its first family in his debut public appearance, the DMK dismissed the actor saying it had seen many political rivals in its long innings but will remain strong.

DMK scoffs at Vijay

The 75-year-old ruling party in Tamil Nadu, the DMK, however, scoffed at Vijay and his party. According to DMK leader TKS Elangovan, TVK's ideological points "are our policies, he is copying... whatever he says is what we had already said and which we are following".

Outlining his party's strong ideological moorings, Elangovan said DMK leaders went to jail fighting for people's cause. But Vijay's party aspires to be in power in 2026, immediately after entering politics, he said.

"That is the difference between DMK and other parties... We are strong, we work for the people, we are for the people," pointed out Elangovan.

Also watch: Vijay's speech | What TVK leader said on corruption, religion, women's participation 

AIADMK dismissive, BJP happy

Meanwhile, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said Vijay had a long way to go to deliver.

TVK's ideology "is a mix of ideology of all parties and old wine in new bottle...a cocktail ideology taken from all political parties in Tamil Nadu," he said.

BJP’s H Raja, however, felt that Vijay's party may weaken the DMK.

"I hope Vijay would help me by speaking on Dravidian stock (ideology) and divide those votes," Raja told reporters.

Also read: Vijay balances Dravidianism with secularism, throws in some Tamil pride 

Seeman attacks Vijay

Seeman too found fault with Vijay and his party’s ideology. He made it clear that Nam Tamizhar Katchi rejects Dravidian ideology.

"What is this model for Tamil Nadu?" he sought to know.

He said Vijay says his party accepts Periyar's rationalism but not his atheism. "Atheism is a part of rationalism," Seeman pointed out.