Actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is making strong electoral gains in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, prompting political circles to draw comparisons with strategist Prashant Kishor’s recent setback in Bihar. Analysts are discussing how Kishor’s defeat with his Jan Suraaj Party in the 2025 Bihar elections, where the party failed to win a single seat and lost deposits in most constituencies, may have indirectly offered key political lessons that influenced Vijay’s approach.
One of the major contrasts highlighted is Kishor’s decision not to contest elections, which reportedly created questions among voters about leadership accountability. In response, Vijay chose to directly enter the electoral fray by contesting from two constituencies, Perambur and Tiruchy East, signaling active participation rather than remaining a behind-the-scenes figure.
While Prashant Kishor focused largely on strategic campaigning and public analysis, Vijay leveraged his on-ground presence along with his film popularity to project himself as a direct leader. Political observers note that this helped him connect more strongly with voters compared to a purely advisory or strategist-driven model.
In Bihar, Kishor’s campaign emphasis on development issues reportedly underestimated caste-based social equations, which affected his party’s performance. In contrast, Vijay’s campaign strategy in Tamil Nadu focused on constituencies with significant youth, minority, and Dalit voter presence, reflecting a more localized understanding of voter dynamics.
Additionally, Kishor’s reliance on social media outreach without a strong grassroots booth-level network proved limiting, while Vijay benefited from a long-standing fan base that transitioned into an active cadre base. His preference for youth and new faces over last-minute entrants is also being seen as a factor strengthening voter trust, with analysts suggesting that Kishor’s electoral experience has inadvertently provided a “what not to do” framework that Vijay appears to have adapted effectively.