AIADMK’s Palaniswami Mocks ‘Vijay for PM’ Campaign, Alleges Governance Collapse in Tamil Nadu
Chennai: The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has turned increasingly volatile, with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Vijay’s administration and the growing national aspirations surrounding his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
In a sharp display of sarcasm on Tuesday, Palaniswami mocked the recent calls from within TVK circles to project the actor-turned-politician as a candidate for Prime Minister.
“He could even become the President of the US. He can replace Trump. It is not wrong. There is nothing wrong with it; it is his wish. He can become India’s President or Prime Minister,” the former Chief Minister remarked, highlighting the perceived absurdity of the rhetoric given the party’s current standing.
The ‘Vijay for PM’ Debate
The “Vijay for Prime Minister” narrative has gained momentum recently, spearheaded by senior TVK leaders like Aadhav Arjuna and Sarathkumar. The campaign has gained visibility through posters appearing in districts like Tuticorin, causing visible unease among the party’s political allies.
The push has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, who dismissed the campaign as a reflection of a “fan club mindset” rather than a serious political strategy. MDMK chief Vaiko, an alliance partner, also expressed skepticism, stating he believed such aspirations did not reflect the Chief Minister’s own thoughts and urged party members to avoid public statements that could destabilize the coalition.
Analysts are currently debating whether the campaign is a premature maneuver for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections—potentially setting the stage for a clash with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s own national ambitions—or simply a tactic to consolidate voter support. To date, Chief Minister Vijay has remained notably silent on the matter.
Administrative Turmoil
Beyond the national aspirations of his rival, Palaniswami took aim at the state’s internal stability, alleging a complete breakdown in the rule of law under the current administration.
“Within 110 days, the law and order situation has completely collapsed. Wherever you look, murders, robberies, and clashes are increasing,” Palaniswami claimed. He further criticized the ruling party’s reliance on social media optics rather than substantive governance, stating, “They are running the government by putting out ‘reels’ here; that won’t work there.”
Fragile Majority
The political stakes remain incredibly high for the Vijay government. With TVK holding 107 MLAs, the government currently falls 11 seats short of the 118 required for a simple majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. As the Vijay for PM discourse continues to stir friction among allies, the administration faces the daunting task of maintaining both its governance standards and its fragile parliamentary support.
