‘Why stop at PM? Replace Trump’: Palaniswami takes swipe at Vijay

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has mocked the growing calls within Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to project Chief Minister Vijay as a candidate for Prime Minister in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. TVK leaders Aadhav Arjuna and Sarathkumar have publicly backed the idea of Vijay taking up the top post at the Centre. The proposal has also triggered criticism from Congress leaders, despite the party supporting the Vijay-led government in Tamil Nadu.

Taking a swipe at the TVK chief, Palaniswami said Vijay could dream even bigger if he wanted. “If he wants, he can even become the President of the United States. He can replace Trump. There is nothing wrong with that. It is his wish. If Vijay wants, he can become the President of India or the Prime Minister,” Palaniswami said.

Palaniswami also attacked the TVK government over its use of social media, saying governance could not be reduced to online publicity.
“They are running the government by putting out reels here. That will not work here,” he said.
He further alleged that the administration had gone off track and accused the government of failing to maintain law and order.
“The rule of law in the state has collapsed within 110 days. Wherever you look, you can see murders, robberies and increasing fights among people,” Palaniswami alleged.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has also dismissed the push to project Vijay as a future Prime Minister, saying such demands stem from a “fan club mentality”.
Vijay has not made any public statement on the issue so far.
Meanwhile, MDMK leader Vaiko said there was no such ambition in Vijay’s mind or imagination, distancing the Chief Minister himself from the demands being made by some TVK leaders.