Chennai: The Tamil Nadu political landscape has witnessed a dramatic shift as Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay, has emerged as a major force in the recently concluded Assembly elections, reportedly leading in over 100 constituencies and reshaping the state’s traditional political order.
The party’s rapid rise is being widely attributed to political strategist Prashant Kishor, whose campaign strategy for TVK has come under renewed discussion. A year-old speech of Kishor is now going viral on social media, where he compared his role to a “kingmaker” and referenced his ability to replicate successful electoral strategies across states.
In the speech delivered at a grand event in Mahabalipuram, Kishor had drawn parallels with cricket legend MS Dhoni’s leadership at Chennai Super Kings, suggesting he could guide TVK to electoral success in a similar manner. The remarks, initially seen as rhetorical, are now being revisited in light of TVK’s strong electoral performance.
The elections have positioned TVK among the most significant political breakthroughs in Tamil Nadu’s history, with the party’s performance being compared to earlier dominant regimes led by Dravidian stalwarts such as Karunanidhi, Jayalalithaa, and M.K. Stalin. The scale of its rise has sparked intense political debate across the state.
While TVK’s final position in forming government is still unfolding, discussions have intensified around whether Prashant Kishor’s strategic planning played a decisive role in the party’s strong electoral showing. Vijay’s transition from cinema to politics and his rapid rise continue to dominate political discourse in Tamil Nadu.