Vijayakanth

Premallatha met with commuters at the bus stand and staff members at the local Amma Unavagam and sought votes for the murasu symbol.

Actor Vijay’s rise to the centre of Tamil Nadu’s political conversation was carefully incubated in cinema under the guidance of his father, SA Chandrasekhar, a filmmaker known for socially rooted narratives.

Tamil Nadu's political landscape is witnessing the rise of a new superstar in actor Vijay, mirroring MGR's trajectory. Despite a contrasting on-screen persona, Vijay's unconventional campaign, leveraging social media and a direct voter appeal, has positioned him as a formidable force. He has emerged from the shadows of established parties, capturing public imagination and potentially reshaping the state's political future.

Fans get a high when Vijay sings “Pathaathu bottle naan kudikka, andaala konda cheers adikka (One bottle isn’t enough for me, bring it to me in a drum to say cheers)”. The intoxication has now been translated into votes; the contrarian is suddenly the outlier.

The superstar’s debut political campaign shows the benefits of speaking less and reaching out directly to voters. It’s also a dramatic transition for the quiet superstar who grew up on sets and waited a long time for box office success.

Former AIADMK minister C Ve Shanmugam's entry into Mailam constituency has intensified the electoral battle, blending caste dynamics, alliance strength, and candidate influence. Shanmugam, backed by AIADMK and PMK, faces DMDK's L Venkatesan, who leverages DMK front support and his party's legacy. Developmental issues also remain a key concern for voters.

Tamil film and TV personalities are actively campaigning for various political parties. Ramarajan, a former AIADMK MP, is now supporting TVK, citing personal ties. Actor Ponnambalam, previously with AIADMK and BJP, has also joined TVK, criticizing DMDK's alliance with DMK.

Despite high-profile BJP visits to Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi's absence is downplayed by the DMK-led front, who deny any rift. The VCK leader clarifies his withdrawal from assembly polls was strategic, not due to DMK pressure, and defends fielding family members, asserting it's not dynastic politics. He also predicts BJP's weakening of AIADMK and dismisses actor Vijay as a spoiler.

Despite high-profile BJP visits to Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi's absence is downplayed by the DMK-led front, who deny any rift. The VCK leader clarifies his withdrawal from assembly polls was strategic, not due to DMK pressure, and defends fielding family members, asserting it's not dynastic politics. He also predicts BJP's weakening of AIADMK and dismisses actor Vijay as a spoiler.

Sharing the stage with VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan and DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakanth to exhibit the solidarity of the alliance, Stalin said under the current DMK regime, Tamil Nadu’s growth rate jumped from a dismal 0.07% during the previous AIADMK regime to a robust 11.19%, earning the state the moniker of "Superstar State" in global media.

She said Vridhachalam holds a deep emotional significance for the party, as it was the seat where the late DMDK founder marked his spectacular electoral debut in 2006.

Many prominent Tamil Nadu politicians, including Chief Minister M K Stalin and rivals from AIADMK and BJP, experienced early electoral defeats before achieving victories. While some, like Vaiko and Thol Thirumavalavan, faced initial losses, others such as Nainar Nagenthran and Anbumani Ramadoss began their careers with wins. Newer aspirants like Seeman and Annamalai are still seeking their first electoral success.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticized AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami for lowering political discourse and accused him of surrendering Tamil Nadu's rights to the BJP. Stalin highlighted the state's economic growth under DMK rule and condemned the Prime Minister's remarks on women's free bus travel, warning of potential scheme discontinuation if the NDA wins.

Political candidates are actively engaging in religious ceremonies and consulting astrologers. They are booking special prayers, performing rituals, and seeking auspicious timings for campaign activities. This practice spans across various parties and religious institutions, including temples, churches, and dargahs. Candidates believe these spiritual efforts will enhance their chances of winning elections.