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: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay (Img: Pinterest)
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has found himself at the centre of a fresh political debate after senior party leaders started projecting him as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The “Vijay for PM” pitch has triggered reactions from opposition parties, especially the Congress, which questioned whether the campaign reflects a realistic national political strategy or is driven by the actor-turned-politician’s massive fan following.
The discussion gained momentum after senior TVK leader KA Sengottaiyan claimed that Vijay has the potential to become a national leader and that people beyond Tamil Nadu are also looking towards him.
Sengottaiyan compared Vijay’s political rise with legendary Tamil leaders MG Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa, saying that after these iconic figures, Vijay has emerged as a powerful political force capable of expanding beyond the state.
He claimed that Vijay is not only capable of leading Tamil Nadu but can also play a bigger role in shaping India’s future politics.
Another TVK leader and Tamil Nadu minister D Sarathkumar also backed the idea, calling Vijay the “next Indian PM” and praising his dedication towards public service.
TVK leaders have argued that Vijay’s popularity among people and his leadership style have created a strong base for him.
Party members believe that his image as a popular actor, combined with his political entry, can help him connect with voters across different regions.
A TVK legislator also expressed confidence that Vijay could eventually lead the country and represent Tamil Nadu at the national level.
The party’s push comes after Vijay’s successful political transition from the film industry to electoral politics, where TVK has attempted to establish itself as a major force in Tamil Nadu.
The “Vijay for PM” campaign has not gone down well with Congress leaders.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore criticised the narrative, saying TVK leaders were still operating with a “fan club mindset” rather than focusing on the realities of national politics.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said that while political parties have the freedom to dream and promote their leaders, becoming the Prime Minister depends on electoral numbers and constitutional procedures.
He pointed out that any leader aspiring for the top post needs the support of a majority in the Lok Sabha, which requires winning a significant number of seats.
The political exchange has also brought attention to the larger opposition landscape ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Congress leaders have maintained that Rahul Gandhi remains their preferred choice for the Prime Minister’s post, while TVK supporters are beginning to position Vijay as a possible alternative national face.
The clash between the two narratives has added another layer to the emerging political battle before the next general elections.
Vijay’s journey from one of India’s biggest film stars to a political leader has already created significant interest.
However, expanding from Tamil Nadu politics to national politics would require building an organisation, winning seats outside the state and creating alliances at the national level.
As the 2029 elections approach, Vijay’s political ambitions are expected to remain a key talking point, with supporters seeing him as a future national leader and opponents questioning the practical challenges of such a rise.
For now, the “Vijay for PM” slogan has opened a new political debate is whether Tamil Nadu’s biggest cinema icon can make the historic jump from the silver screen to the Centre.
