If Vijay is keen on defeating Hindutva forces, he must join INDIA bloc, says TN Congress chief Selvaperunthagai
It might be worth recalling that actor Vijay had declared the BJP and DMK as his ‘ideological’ and ‘political’ enemies, respectively, at the inaugural Vikravandi conference.
CHENNAI: The political climate of the State turned hotter on a cold January morning after Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai spun a massive political googly, making a public appeal to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader actor Vijay to join forces with the INDIA bloc to defeat communal forces in the country.
Selvaperunthagai's appeal comes a fortnight prior to the Erode East bypoll and a year ahead of the crucial State Assembly polls, which could see some realignment in political formations in the TN, particularly in the opposition ranks. Talking to media persons after garlanding the statue of the former party State president 'Vazhapadi' Ramamoorthy at RA Puram in the city, Selvaperunthagai said, "If he (Vijay) is keen on advancing the principles of secularism and defeating Hindutva forces and uprooting communalism from this land, he must join the INDIA bloc." He was reacting to a query on whether the Congress party wanted Vijay (TVK) to join their alliance. Referring to the speech the actor made at his party's maiden conference in Vikravandi, Selvaperunthagai said, "It would augur well for him and the principle he stands for (if he joined the INDIA bloc). This is what I can say as a realistic Indian citizen."
Responding to a related query on alliance with TVK, the TNCC chief quickly added, "Neither we (TNCC) nor our national leadership have decided on that. Chief Minister MK Stalin, the leader of the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu, will take the final call."
It might be worth recalling that actor Vijay, who declared the BJP and DMK as his 'ideological' and 'political' enemies, respectively, at the inaugural Vikravandi conference, has been consistently issuing statements highly critical of the Stalin-led DMK regime.
Considering Vijay's sharp critique of the incumbent regime in the State and the leadership of the DMK, Selvaperunthagai's suggestion could, at best, be interpreted as an attempt to offset speculation surrounding the rumoured future electoral understanding between the TVK and AIADMK, most of which has been originating from the principal opposition camp.