The political battle in Tamil Nadu intensified on Thursday after All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader KP Anbalagan launched a sharp attack on actor-turned-politician Vijay, questioning his ability to lead a government despite the strong electoral performance of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
According to ANI, Anbalagan said Vijay does not possess the necessary political experience or qualifications required to govern the state, adding that popularity in cinema cannot automatically translate into effective political leadership.
“Why should we gather here to support Vijay? People like Vijay should not form a government here. There is a certain qualification required to form a government, but he does not even have the basic qualification. He is just a cinema actor,” Anbalagan said.
His remarks come amid growing speculation over possible post-election alliances after TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. However, the party remains 10 seats short of the majority mark needed to form the government.
Anbalagan accused Vijay of trying to build political momentum primarily on the basis of his celebrity status rather than proven political strength.
“Using his fame from cinema, Vijay is trying to create an impression, but how many seats has he actually won here?” he asked.
The AIADMK leader also categorically ruled out any support for TVK and said his party would stand firmly behind its current leadership under Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
“Under the leadership of Edappadi Palaniswami, the party functions under a single leadership. We have 48 MLAs elected in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Till the very end, we will not support Vijay,” he stated.
Adding to the party’s position, AIADMK Deputy Coordinator KP Munusamy also dismissed the possibility of any alliance with TVK. He asserted that AIADMK would not extend support to Vijay under any circumstances, regardless of the political situation that unfolds in the state.
The comments come at a time when political negotiations and alliance discussions are intensifying in Tamil Nadu following a fractured mandate. While TVK has emerged as the largest party, it still requires support from other parties or independent MLAs to cross the majority threshold and stake claim to form the government.
Vijay’s entry into politics has generated significant public attention over the past few years, especially among younger voters and first-time electors. However, opposition leaders continue to question whether his mass popularity as a film star can translate into stable governance and long-term political credibility.
The evolving political scenario has now set the stage for intense alliance calculations, with regional parties weighing their options as Tamil Nadu moves closer to government formation discussions.