The recent meeting between political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor and actor-turned-politician Vijay in Chennai has sparked significant speculation in Tamil Nadu’s political circles. With the assembly elections scheduled for March-April next year, this encounter has led to various conjectures regarding a potential collaboration between Kishor and Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). However, several critical questions arise — was this a mere courtesy meeting, as the TVK’s campaign head Aadhav Arjun suggests, or does it signify a strategic alliance that could redefine the state’s political landscape?
The Kishor-Vijay Connection: Political Strategy Or Political Alliance?
Prashant Kishor has been a pivotal figure in Indian elections, having successfully advised multiple political parties through his Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) before launching his party, the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP). Meanwhile, Vijay, a superstar with a massive fan following, recently launched the TVK, signalling his serious political ambitions. The nature of their meeting remains ambiguous — was Vijay seeking Kishor’s professional expertise through I-PAC, or was this a discussion on a potential collaboration between their respective parties?
While the TVK has confirmed Vijay’s statewide tour in March, the JSP’s electoral debut in Bihar ended in a disappointing performance. Out of the four candidates the JSP fielded in the bypolls last year, three lost their deposits. Given the caste-centric politics of Bihar and the dominant presence of the BJP-led NDA and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, the JSP faces a tough road ahead. This raises another pertinent question — does this meeting indicate Kishor’s desire to return to the role of a political strategist after an unsuccessful electoral venture?
JSP’s Political Prospects: A Lost Battle In Bihar?
Prashant Kishor’s JSP has had a rocky start in Bihar. Despite his extensive experience in electoral strategy, his transition from a backroom political operator to an active politician has not yielded the expected results. The dominance of entrenched caste-based politics in Bihar has left little room for an independent party like the JSP to make a significant impact. With the Bihar assembly elections due later this year, Kishor faces the challenge of preparing his party for the poll battle.
Given these factors, it is worth examining whether Kishor has accepted the political limitations of the JSP, and is considering a return to consultancy. If true, Vijay’s TVK could be his next major project, akin to his successful collaborations with parties in the past, such as the DMK, the TMC, and the AAP.
Tamil Nadu’s Political Dynamics And The Role Of TVK
Tamil Nadu’s political arena has historically been dominated by two major parties — the DMK and the AIADMK. However, with the demise of former CM J. Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK has struggled to maintain its position. Its poor performance in the 2021 assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it failed to secure even a single seat, has raised questions about its viability. Meanwhile, the DMK-led alliance swept all 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state, consolidating its position.
The emergence of the TVK, backed by Vijay’s immense popularity, introduces a new player into this equation. Vijay enjoys a strong mass appeal similar to past matinee idols like M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), who transitioned successfully from cinema to politics. This makes the TVK a formidable contender, at least in terms of mobilising public support. However, whether this star power translates into electoral success remains to be seen.
A TVK-AIADMK Alliance?
One of the most intriguing possibilities arising from the Kishor-Vijay meeting is a potential alliance between the TVK and the AIADMK. The AIADMK, struggling to regain its lost ground, may see value in collaborating with a rising star like Vijay. However, such an alliance would come with its own set of challenges.
For a partnership to be effective, the AIADMK would have to offer the TVK substantial space within the alliance. Cinema legends have historically enjoyed overwhelming public support in Tamil Nadu, among other southern states, and Vijay might not be willing to settle for a secondary role. His party would likely demand at least an equal share in the coalition, if not greater. The big question is whether the AIADMK’s leadership, particularly its general secretary E.K. Palaniswami, would be willing to accommodate such a demand.
Additionally, if the TVK and the AIADMK come together, the BJP could see an opportunity to integrate itself into this alliance as well. The BJP has been looking to expand its presence in Tamil Nadu. A consolidated anti-DMK front could make electoral gains more achievable for the BJP, a former ally of the AIADMK. Such a scenario would position this alliance as a formidable challenger to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s DMK-led government.
However, this would require a careful balancing act, as Tamil Nadu politics has historically been resistant to the BJP’s ideological positioning.
A New Political Equation In The Making?
The Prashant Kishor-Vijay meeting has opened up a wide array of possibilities in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. While the JSP’s disappointing electoral debut in Bihar may push Kishor to reconsider his role as a full-time politician, Vijay’s political aspirations are only beginning to take shape.
A TVK-AIADMK alliance could alter the state’s electoral equations significantly. However, for this to materialise, the AIADMK must be willing to offer TVK substantial space within the coalition. The BJP’s potential role in such an alliance adds another layer of complexity.
As Tamil Nadu moves closer to the assembly elections, the political realignments taking place behind the scenes will become clearer. For now, the meeting between Kishor and Vijay remains an enigmatic yet highly significant development in the state’s evolving political narrative. The coming months will reveal whether this was merely a casual discussion or the beginning of a strategic partnership that could redefine Tamil Nadu’s political future.
The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author.
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