In a sharp political counter-attack, Tamil actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of being unnerved by his party's growing public mobilization. He asserted that the DMK's own political missteps created the space for the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 'lotus' to bloom in the state.
Allegations of Defamation and Political Fear
The controversy erupted following an editorial piece published in the DMK's official organ, Murasoli, on 25 December 2025. Vijay took strong exception to the article, stating it was a deliberate attempt to defame and bring disrepute to the TVK. He did not mince words in condemning what he perceived as a malicious attack from the established political force.
Vijay positioned the critical article as a sign of the DMK's anxiety. He suggested that the success and crowd-pulling power of TVK's recent public rallies have sent shockwaves through the ruling party's ranks. This reaction, according to the TVK leader, reveals a deep-seated fear of his party's expanding influence among Tamil Nadu's electorate.
The Claim: DMK Paved Way for BJP
Moving beyond the immediate war of words, Vijay made a significant political claim. He credited the DMK with allowing the BJP to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu. His statement, that the DMK "allowed the lotus to bloom," is a direct reference to the BJP's electoral symbol and implies that the ruling party's policies or failures directly facilitated the national party's growth in a state where it has historically struggled.
This accusation strikes at the heart of the DMK's professed ideological stance as a bulwark against the BJP in the south. Vijay's narrative attempts to reframe the political debate, painting the TVK not just as an alternative to the DMK, but as the necessary force to truly counter the BJP's influence, a role he suggests the DMK has abdicated.
Implications for Tamil Nadu's Political Landscape
The public spat, reported by PTI, marks a notable escalation in tensions between the fledgling TVK and the veteran DMK. It underscores the evolving and increasingly complex multi-cornered contest in Tamil Nadu politics. Vijay's strategy appears to be twofold:
- Defend his party's credibility against attacks from established media arms of rival parties.
- Position the TVK as the authentic alternative, critiquing both the DMK's governance and its effectiveness as an opposition to the BJP at the national level.
This incident, dated 25 December 2025, is more than a mere editorial disagreement. It is a clear signal that Vijay and the TVK are ready to engage in direct, hard-hitting political combat. By linking the DMK to the BJP's rise, Vijay aims to carve out a distinct political space and challenge the existing narrative dominated by the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The coming months will reveal how this aggressive posturing translates into electoral strategy as the state moves closer to future polls.
