"Vijay devoid of ideology": BJP's ANS Prasad calls TVK chief "political actor"

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 23 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson ANS Prasad on Saturday took a jibe at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, saying that the "political actor" was devoid of ideology and was operating solely for electoral gains.
"It has become abundantly clear that actor Vijay is operating as a political actor, mimicking Naam Tamilar Party leader Seeman (Sebastian Simon), devoid of principles or ideology, solely for electoral gains and vote-bank politics," Prasad said in a statement.
Hitting out at Vijay for his "I am the ocean, and voice of the common man" remarks, the BJP leader argued that the actor-turned-politician had a lot to study, from Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural (a Tamil classic, essentially about ethical living) to Babasaheb Ambedkar's life history, for him to evolve into a genuine politician, who could serve the people of Tamil Nadu.
"The water of the ocean is not suitable for drinking. If Vijay studies the aforementioned texts, his arrogant notion of being an "ocean" as an actor will be purified, transforming his politics into potable water that benefits the people of Tamil Nadu. He must understand this, realise it, and evolve into a genuine politician," Prasad said.
Intensifying his attack, the BJP leader said that Vijay's actions are driven by a desire for power politics and a dream to become Chief Minister and were unfolding in a manner that deceives the people of Tamil Nadu.
"His speech in Madurai was filled with heroic dialogues, felt like watching a political film rather than a genuine political discourse," Prasad said, adding, "Vijay's premature imagination of becoming Chief Minister, his immature political conduct is condemnable. His disrespectful references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'Mr PM' and Chief Minister Stalin as 'Uncle' are utterly unacceptable to the people of Tamil Nadu, who will never tolerate such derogatory and boundary-less speech."
"Merely praising leaders like Anna, MGR, and Vijayakanth, or invoking the names of leaders who sacrificed for Tamil Nadu while also displaying images of EV Ramasamy, who betrayed Tamil Nadu, without studying their lives, sacrifices, or the people's struggles, exposes Vijay's vote-bank politics as a mere act, now brought to light," he added.
On Thursday, Vijay set the tone for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections, asserting that his party's "ideological enemy" was the BJP while the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) remains its "political enemy".
While addressing a mega rally in Tamil Nadu's Madurai, Vijay said that the contest in the 2026 assembly elections would be between the ruling DMK and his party, TVK.
"Our priority is the safety of women, elders and children. Our government would be friendly to whoever needs special attention, like farmers, youths, transgender people, the elderly without care, and people with physical disabilities. TVK is not a party that was established solely for political benefits. Our only ideological enemy is the BJP and our only political enemy is the DMK," Vijay asserted.
Vijay also hit out at the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for allying with the BJP, terming it a "slave alliance".
"Having power in hand and to cheat people, you have a fascist BJP slave alliance," Vijay said, adding, "TVK is not a party that makes underground deals, forges alliances, and cheats the people. We are not afraid of anyone. The people of Tamil Nadu, the women, and the youth stand with us."
He also accused DMK of being in a secret alliance with the BJP. The actor-turned-politician lambasted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the law and order situation in the state.
"Uncle Stalin, if you have a conscience, please answer the questions we are asking. In the government you are running, is there honesty? Is it free from corruption? Is law and order being maintained properly? Are women and the general public safe? Tell us, my dear uncle, tell us," Vijay said. (ANI)