NewKerala.com

Kanimozhi on TVK’s Surprise Lead: Fans Factor at Play in Tamil Nadu Polls

DMK leader Kanimozhi NVN Somu acknowledged that actor Vijay’s strong fan base likely drove Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s surprise lead in 104 seats during its debut election. She noted that Tamil Nadu has a history of actors entering politics, but expressed confidence that the DMK would secure a good number of seats. The TVK, contesting alone against the NDA and DMK alliances, has turned the election into a triangular contest. Counting is ongoing for 823 constituencies across multiple states, with results updated in real time.

Key Points: Kanimozhi: TVK Lead Driven by Vijay’s Fan Base

  • TVK leads in 104 seats in debut Tamil Nadu assembly poll
  • Kanimozhi attributes lead to Vijay's fan base
  • DMK expects to retain power with good number of seats
  • Counting underway for 823 constituencies across states
2 min read

'Fans factor at play': DMK's Kanimozhi NVN Somu on TVK leading in 104 seats in debut poll

DMK’s Kanimozhi NVN Somu says actor Vijay’s fan base drove TVK’s early lead in 104 seats, but DMK expects to win with a good number in Tamil Nadu assembly polls.

"He has a good amount of fan base. All his fans would have voted for him... Tamil Nadu has a history of people coming from cinema who are able to make it to politics. - Kanimozhi NVN Somu"

Chennai, May 4

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and spokesperson Kanimozhi NVN Somu on Monday said Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's early lead in its debut election could be driven by actor-turned-politician Vijay's strong fan base, even as she expressed confidence that the DMK would secure a "good number" of seats.

Early trends for the vote counting to select the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly have the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) putting up a surprise show in their poll debut, with the party leading in 104 seats amid early trends by the Election Commission of India.

"He has a good amount of fan base. All his fans would have voted for him... Tamil Nadu has a history of people coming from cinema who are able to make it to politics. This is nothing new for us. But anyway, the numbers will play... DMK will win with a good number. We have to see how much of the vote share, what is the percentage of the vote he's going to really take away from whom. That will be the biggest question for the day for us..." Somu told ANI as counting progressed.

TVK chief and former actor Vijay is contesting from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur seats too, with a lot depending on today's performance and his party's political debut in Tamil Nadu.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is contesting the elections alone, against the NDA alliance led by AIADMK, along with the BJP. While the DMK-led alliance, along with Congress, is looking to retain power in the state.

His main rival, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate Inigo Irudayaraj, is trailing behind in the initial round, according to early counting trends.

TVK chief Vijay's entry had turned the Tamil Nadu polls triangular. The politics in the state have traditionally been dominated by alliances led by the DMK and AIADMK.

Apart from Tamil Nadu, counting is underway across 823 constituencies in key regions including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The process begins with postal ballots, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machines from 8:30 am, with round-wise results being updated in real time on the ECINET platform and the Election Commission's official portal.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, a fresh face in Tamil politics! 😊 We've been stuck with the same DMK-AIADMK duopoly for decades. Even if TVK doesn't form the government, this showing proves people want alternatives. Vijay Anna has brought real competition.
K
Kavya N
104 seats in a debut? That's not just fan base - that's a political earthquake! 😲 But I'm worried about stability. A hung assembly could mean chaos. Hope all parties act responsibly and put Tamil Nadu's interests first.
R
Ravi K
DMK should look inward instead of blaming fan culture. The corruption allegations and lack of development in many areas are real issues. Vijay's surge is a symptom of people's frustration with traditional parties. Somu's comments sound like sour grapes.
J
James A
As someone who follows Indian politics from abroad, this is fascinating. Tamil Nadu has traditionally been very resistant to outsider politicians. Vijay's performance could reshape how other states view celebrity candidates. The 'fan factor' is real, but it's also about anti-incumbency.
S
Siddharth J
This is what happens when you take voters for granted. DMK thought they had it in the bag, but Vijay's entry made it a real contest. The final numbers will tell us whether this is a flash in the pan or a long-term shift. Either way, Tamil Nadu politics just got interesting again! 🎯

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50