Tamil Nadu Politics: 'Vijay owes his office to the DMK', says Dr Sumanth Raman

A debate on whether Tamil Nadu politics is witnessing a structural transformation beyond traditional Dravidian parties, featuring political analyst Dr Sumanth C. Raman and senior journalist Shekhar Iyer. Dr Raman argued that neither actor Dhanush nor former state BJP chief Annamalai match the cinematic mass appeal commanded by TVK chief Vijay. Emphasising the political landscape, Dr Raman remarked, 'Vijay owes his office to the DMK and its ruinous governance of five years.' Shekhar Iyer noted that Annamalai's initial momentum and social media drive had plateaued, leaving him unable to sustain his base for civic polls. The panellists examined whether actors such as Dhanush and Sivakarthikeyan can successfully convert fan associations into viable political vehicles, highlighting the critical role played by caste coalitions, minority backing, and women voters in deciding electoral outcomes across Tamil Nadu.