Opinion | In Tamil Nadu, Vijay Attempts A Hostile Takeover Of AIADMK's Very Soul

Updated: Apr 03, 2026 17:30 pm IST Published On Apr 03, 2026 17:30 pm IST Last Updated On Apr 03, 2026 17:30 pm IST

Published On Apr 03, 2026 17:30 pm IST

Last Updated On Apr 03, 2026 17:30 pm IST

Around 100 seconds into the election campaign song unveiled by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on April 1 come the images of CN Annadurai and MG Ramachandran, the two biggest icons of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). They are immediately followed by the image of Vijay. It is no oversight or the work of an enthusiastic video editor. It is increasingly clear that the unsubtle message being driven home is that Vijay is the natural political successor to Anna and MGR. 

Analyse the moves made by Vijay on Tamil Nadu's political chessboard, and it is very obvious that demolition of the AIADMK dream of a comeback to power is on the agenda before he battles MK Stalin on April 23. What is being undertaken is a less-than-hostile takeover of the AIADMK template, fundamentally replacing the party founded by MGR in the mindspace of the anti-DMK voter. 

Elections in Tamil Nadu have always revolved around the two-pole narrative. Vijaykanth, popularly referred to as 'Karuppu MGR' ("dark-complexioned MGR") was the last one to try to break the hegemony of the two fronts, but did not quite succeed. Vijaykanth's rugged........

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