The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Tinsel heroes' political plunge generates no waves of surprise

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 16, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Tinsel heroes' political plunge generates no waves of surprise

S. Dorairaj

Vijayakanth and Karthik draw strength from their fan following Vijayakanth is rooted in his `Narpani Manrams' while Karthik has used the non-governmental outfit as a springboard to enter politics

CHENNAI: In a State where politics and cinema are inseparably intertwined, the entry of two film heroes into the political arena has not come as a surprise.

Vijayakanth and Karthik have not stormed the arena like the late Chief Minister and AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran did, close on the heels of his expulsion from the DMK in 1972. They have donned the new role to gain a foothold in politics.

There are striking similarities.

Both stars made the foray into politics after a full innings in the tinsel world, but have made it clear that they will continue their film career. Both draw strength from their fan following. Vijayakanth is rooted in his `Narpani Manrams' while Karthik has used `Saranalayam,' a non-governmental outfit launched by him, as a springboard to enter politics.

Still, there is an ocean of difference as far as political strategies are concerned.

Karthik has taken the easy route by becoming president of the State unit of the All India Forward Bloc. The party derives its strength from Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, whose legacy still exists in some southern districts including Madurai, Theni and Ramanathapuram.

But Vijayakanth had to start from scratch, right from launching the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in September last to initiating the process for getting the Election Commission's recognition in time.

Placing his film career on the backburner, the star has embarked a statewide tour.

Vijayakanth has claimed that the DMDK will offer an alternative to the DMK and the AIADMK. He has announced that the DMDK will go it alone in the Assembly elections. The actor has distanced himself from the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance, which has been criticising the State Government on issues such as extending relief and rehabilitation to tsunami victims and people in the flood-hit areas.

Karthik has different priorities. Topmost on his agenda is to help the AIFB retrieve its glory by uniting all the factions. In a bid to enable the party to shed its caste tag, he has decided to act as a bridge between communities. He has also planned a tour of the State before the AIFB's State conference next month.

Indications are that Karthik's political journey is not going to be hassle-free.

The AIFB's State unit has not been associating itself with the two Communist parties, though at the national level it is part of the Left front. The party's stand on holding successful elections to four panchayats with Dalit presidents — Pappapatti, Keeripatti, Nattarmangalam and Kottakachiyendal — has also come in for criticism. Karthik has not clarified his stand on such issues.

Though the stars have entered the world of politics with a lot of hope, their political future will be mostly determined by the poll outcome, observers say.

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