Chair once held by MGR and Jayalalithaa; Is Vijay the next CM? Cinematic upheaval in Tamil Nadu?

CHENNAI: In Tamil Nadu, a stronghold of Dravidian politics for over half a century, an exit poll has predicted the end of the DMK–AIADMK two-party dominance. According to the Axis My India exit poll, actor Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is likely to come to power in the state.

While other surveys suggest that the DMK–Congress alliance will retain power, Axis My India has come up with results that could shake Tamil politics. Out of the total 234 seats, TVK is predicted to win between 98 and 120 seats. A simple majority in Tamil Nadu requires 118 seats.

Vijay is the most preferred choice for chief minister, with 37% support. Chief Minister M K Stalin has 35% support, while former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has 22%.

According to the survey, 68% of first-time voters support Vijay. Among those aged 20–29, 59% backed TVK, while 45% of those in the 30–39 age group are estimated to have voted for the party.

The Axis My India survey also points out that it is not new for film personalities to rise to political leadership in Tamil Nadu. The legacy of MGR and Jayalalithaa could work in Vijay’s favour. Pradeep Gupta, head of Axis My India, noted that people are looking for a major change after nearly 50 years of alternating rule by the DMK and AIADMK.

Meantime, rejecting the exit poll results, TVK spokesperson Radhan Pandian said the party would make a massive breakthrough, winning between 140 and 170 seats, and that Vijay would be sworn in as the chief minister.