The recent meeting between political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor and actor-turned-politician Vijay in Chennai has sparked significant speculation in Tamil Nadu’s political circles. This encounter has sparked a number of speculations regarding a possible collaboration between Kishor and Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), given that the assembly elections are scheduled for March-April of next year. However, there are a number of important questions that need to be answered, such as whether or not this was just a nice meeting, as the TVK’s campaign head Aadhav Arjun suggests, or if it signifies a strategic alliance that could change the political landscape of the state. The Kishor-Vijay Connection: Political Strategy Or Political Alliance?
Prashant Kishor has played a significant role in Indian elections. Prior to launching his party, the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), he successfully advised a number of political parties through his Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). Meanwhile, Vijay, a superstar with a massive fan following, recently launched the TVK, signalling his serious political ambitions. The nature of their meeting is still a mystery. Was Vijay looking for Kishor’s professional expertise through I-PAC, or was this a discussion about whether their parties could work together? While the TVK has confirmed Vijay’s statewide tour in March, the JSP’s electoral debut in Bihar ended in a disappointing performance. Three of the JSP’s four candidates in the 2017 by-elections forfeited their deposits. Given the caste-centric politics of Bihar and the dominant presence of the BJP-led NDA and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, the JSP faces a tough road ahead. This raises another pertinent question — does this meeting indicate Kishor’s desire to return to the role of a political strategist after an unsuccessful electoral venture?
Bihar’s political prospects for the JSP: a lost battle?
Prashant Kishor’s JSP has had a rocky start in Bihar. His transition from a backroom political operator to an active politician has not produced the expected results, despite his extensive experience in electoral strategy. The dominance of entrenched caste-based politics in Bihar has left little room for an independent party like the JSP to make a significant impact. With the Bihar assembly elections due later this year, Kishor faces the challenge of preparing his party for the poll battle.
Given these factors, it is worth examining whether Kishor has accepted the political limitations of the JSP, and is considering a return to consultancy. Vijay’s TVK, if true, could be his next big project, similar to his previous successful collaborations with parties like the DMK, TMC, and AAP. The Political Dynamics of Tamil Nadu and TVK’s Role Tamil Nadu’s political arena has historically been dominated by two major parties — the DMK and the AIADMK. However, with the demise of former CM J. Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK has struggled to maintain its position. Its inability to win even a single seat in the Assembly elections in 2021 and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 has cast doubt on its viability. In the meantime, the DMK-led alliance secured control of all 39 state Lok Sabha seats. A new player enters the equation thanks to the TVK’s rise and Vijay’s enormous popularity. Vijay enjoys a strong mass appeal similar to past matinee idols like M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), who successfully transitioned from film to politics. This makes the TVK a formidable contender, at least in terms of mobilising public support. However, whether this star power translates into electoral success remains to be seen.
A partnership between the AIADMK and TVK? A possible alliance between the TVK and the AIADMK is one of the most intriguing outcomes of the Kishor-Vijay meeting. Collaboration with a rising star like Vijay may be beneficial for the AIADMK, which is struggling to regain lost ground. However, such an alliance would come with its own set of challenges.
For a partnership to be effective, the AIADMK would have to offer the TVK substantial space within the alliance. Cinema legends have historically enjoyed overwhelming public support in Tamil Nadu, among other southern states, and Vijay might not be willing to settle for a secondary role. His party would likely demand at least an equal share in the coalition, if not greater. The central issue is whether the AIADMK’s leadership, particularly its general secretary E.K. Palaniswami, would be willing to accommodate such a demand.
The BJP could also see an opportunity to join this alliance if the TVK and AIADMK come together. The BJP has been trying to make more inroads into Tamil Nadu. A consolidated anti-DMK front could make electoral gains more achievable for the BJP, a former ally of the AIADMK. This alliance would be seen as a formidable opponent to Chief Minister M.K. in such a scenario. Stalin’s DMK-led government.
However, this would require a careful balancing act, as Tamil Nadu politics has historically been resistant to the BJP’s ideological positioning.
Is There a New Political Equation Underway? The Prashant Kishor-Vijay meeting has opened up a wide array of possibilities in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Vijay’s political ambitions are just beginning to take shape, but the JSP’s disappointing electoral debut in Bihar may force Kishor to reevaluate his position as a full-time politician. A TVK-AIADMK alliance could alter the state’s electoral equations significantly. However, for this to materialise, the AIADMK must be willing to offer TVK substantial space within the coalition. The BJP’s potential role in such an alliance adds another layer of complexity.
The political realignments that are taking place behind the scenes will become more apparent as the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu get closer. For now, the meeting between Kishor and Vijay remains an enigmatic yet highly significant development in the state’s evolving political narrative. The coming months will reveal whether this was merely a casual discussion or the beginning of a strategic partnership that could redefine Tamil Nadu’s political future.