Tamil Nadu elections: Movie stars to lead Jaya's poll offensive

The gods are on Jayalalithaa's side in the upcoming electoral battle in Tamil Nadu.

In a state where movie stars are worshipped as gods, the AIADMK chief has a constellation of actors in her alliance against the ruling DMK. It will translate into a star-studded campaign by the Jayalalithaa camp with tinsel town heroes descending on the streets for votes.

Jayalalithaa, a screen goddess of yesteryears, entered politics with her mentor and co- star the legendary M. G. Ramachandran.

She still retains her charisma and appeal among the masses. However, it was her choice of alliance partners that has spurred her chances to return to power in the state.

Movie star Vijayakant's DMDK, touted as the game changer this poll season, is one of the biggest catches of Amma. Vijaykant's outfit cornered 11 per cent of the vote share in the last assembly elections and after ploughing a lonely furrow, the DMDK has emerged as a force to reckon with. Vijaykant, nicknamed ' Captain' by admirers, has shelved his dream of becoming the chief minister and teamed up with Amma after waiting in vain to forge a third front with the Congress.

Another actor who will be seen campaigning for the AIADMK alliance is Sarath Kumar. He had deserted the DMK after deciding not to play second fiddle to the Marans.

After a brief stint in the AIADMK, he launched the AISMK to represent the mercantile Nadar community, concentrated in south Tamil Nadu.

Karthik of AINMK, a popular actor, is perceived as a community icon and his party polled a respectable vote share in the last assembly elections across the southern districts. Hailing from the dominant OBC Thevar community, Karthik proved to be a natural ally of the AIADMK. Young heartthrob Vijay had toyed with the idea of joining the Congress but gave up the plans under pressure from the DMK. Vijay had met Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. Butwhen the release of his recent movie was met with hurdles, he chose to throw his lot with the AIADMK czarina.

He put up a show of strength in Nagapattinam in February where he staged a massive demonstration protesting Lankan highhandedness against Tamil fishermen.

Party insiders pointed out that the star power of alliance partners was only secondary to their political prowess while being considered by Jayalalithaa.

They said the movie stars- turned- politicians will bring votes to the alliance.

While the fiery MDMK leader Vaiko and the eloquent D. Pandian of the CPI will shoulder the alliance's high decibel campaign, the movie stars will add spice and variety to canvassing.

In contrast, the ruling DMK could only flaunt Kushboo and a few others who have faded out. Moreover, the pent up anger in Tamil Nadu film industry against the Karunanidhi family's stranglehold over Kollywood would also come in handy for Jayalalithaa.

Apart from incumbency and 2G spectrum scam, the DMK had been facing difficulties in managing key ally, the Congress.


ACTORS IN AMMA'S KITTY


VIJAYKANT
The DMDK founder is touted as a major player in the formation of the next government in the state.

His party had an impressive vote share of 11 per cent in the last assembly polls

KARTHIK
He is considered an icon by the OBC Thevar community, to which he belongs. He had floated AINMK, which polled a respectable vote share in southern districts during the last assembly polls

SARATH KUMAR
He deserted DMK after refusing to play second fiddle to the Marans. He floated the AISMK and has a considerable sway over the mercantile Nadar community in south Tamil Nadu

VIJAY
A heartthrob of the youth, he wanted to join the Congress but did not do so under pressure allegedly from the DMK. He joined the AIADMK after the release of his recent movie faced problems