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Journalism of Courage
Yet another actor has decided to take the plunge in Tamil Nadu politics. While superstar Rajnikanth kept his fans guessing about a political avatar, action hero of Tamil film industry, Vijayakanth, has jumped into the fray, claiming to have mobilised one crore fans for his fledgling party.
The actor, who spoke to reporters today, said he would announce his party’s name, office bearers and launch the flag at a ‘‘mammoth meeting’’ to be held on September 14 on a ‘70-acre private plot’ in Thirunagar near the renowned temple town of Madurai.
With ambitions to contest the 2006 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, the actor is also expected to announce his party’s stand during the meeting.
With his dark, unconventional looks and a slight resemblance to Rajnikanth, Vijayakanth gained popularity portraying roles of a tough hero fighting injustice. He has been systematically preparing for his political coronation by setting up several branches in his fans association, fashioning them after wings in a political organization — a students’ wing, a youth wing, an agricultural forum, and the advocates’ wing.
Though the actor is trying to woo AIADMK by maintaining a close relationship with Amma, in recent times, however, the actor called on the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, amidst reports that he received a notice from the National Highways Department for widening a section of a road.
DMK leader, T. R. Baalu is the Union Minister for Highways and Shipping. While the DMK is likely to capitalise on the actor’s vulnerability, some political observers feel that Vijayakanth’s move to launch a party was meant to split the anti-Jayalalithaa votes which would help the ruling AIADMK in the Assembly election slated for next year. It remains to be seen which way the actor would swing in the run up to the state poll.
