The DMK and AIADMK have long used cinema and film stars as tools for political propaganda in Tamil Nadu. However, the two major parties have been less receptive to attempts by influential actors to carve out their own independent political paths. Their approach has primarily focused on maintaining the entrenched ‘duopoly’ in Dravidian politics, ensuring that no newcomer can easily disrupt their dominance.
Months after actor Vijayakant launched his Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in 2005, the then Leader of Opposition, Jayalalithaa, had firmly declared that the AIADMK’s primary political enemy was the DMK. Yet, after Vijayakant’s impressive debut in the 2006 Assembly elections, she grew concerned. With Vijayakant styling himself as the ‘Black MGR’ and using the blue van gifted to him by MGR’s widow, Janaki, Jayalalithaa feared young voters might be drawn to the DMDK.
Her unease became evident when she launched a verbal attack— without naming Vijayakant —accusing him of being an alcoholic. In response, Vijayakant dismissed her ‘outbursts,’ contending it was an attempt to distract from his political fight against the M. Karunanidhi-led government.
The former Chief Minister clearly did not want to cede ground to newcomers who sought to inherit the legacy of MGR, the founder of the AIADMK. On January 17, 2008, on the occasion of MGR’s 91st birth anniversary, she landed at his Ramapuram (earlier known as Ramavaram) Garden house near Chennai after a gap of 10 years declaring herself as his political heir. Jayalalithaa said she was invited by MGR’s family members and the management of the Dr. MGR School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired instituted at Ramapuram Gardens in his memory.
AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa at a function organised by MGR School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired, on the occasion of former Chief Minister late M.G. Ramachandran’s 91st birth anniversary, at Ramapuram near Chennai, on January 17, 2008
| Photo Credit:
V. Ganesan
“We are the political heirs of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. No one else in the world can claim the right. We are running the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founded by him. Now, I am the leader and general secretary of the party instituted by him, with the blessings of Puratchi Thalaivar (revolutionary leader). If somebody else claims that they are Puratchi Thalaivar MGR’s heirs, people will ridicule them. At the time of elections, they will unmistakably make it clear what they think of such persons,” a report in The Hindu quoted Jayalalithaa as saying.
It was on this occasion that, in an obvious reference to Vijayakant (‘some who attempted to come up in politics like MGR’), she famously said: “Instant coffee can be produced, not instant leaders.” She also described Ramapuram Gardens as “our home” and said, “We have every right. We can come here whenever we want. There is no need for others to make any comment.”
Jayalalithaa pointed out MGR did not become a political leader overnight. He had worked for the growth of the DMK founded by C.N. Annadurai and propagated its policies. “It was he who made Anna the Chief Minister [in 1967],” she contended.
DMDK leader Vijayakant with AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa at her residence in Chennai on March 4, 2011
| Photo Credit:
K.V. Srinivasan
A month later, Jayalalithaa decided to strengthen the AIADMK and hoped to make it an attractive platform for the youth. The AIADMK supremo launched the ‘Ilaignar Pasarai’ and ‘Ilam Pengal Pasarai’ (camps for young men and women) to enrol those in the age group of 18 to 25 years. The camps were to be set up in every ward of rural and urban local bodies. At the ward-level, each unit was to have a minimum of 27 persons, with nine office-bearers for every unit.
To ensure these youngsters stayed with the AIADMK, she declared that upon completing 25 years of age, they would automatically become part of the AIADMK MGR Youth Wing and the Jayalalithaa Peravai (forum), besides getting absorbed in the women’s wing.
“This will rejuvenate the party,” Jayalalithaa said addressing the AIADMK general council, adding once these Pasarais were in place, no force could crush the party. “Even today, the party’s strength, influence and esteem have not gone down by an inch. The indisputable fact today is that no one can do politics in the State without referring to the AIADMK and Jayalalithaa,” she said.
DMDK president and Opposition leader in Tamil Nadu Assembly Vijayakant calling on Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat on August 8, 2011
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
The move did help in attracting youngsters to the AIADMK. However, that was not adequate for Jayalalithaa to take on the DMK-led alliance in 2011. She then did the unthinkable – tie up with Vijayakant and a few other parties to take on the ruling DMK. Her alliance won hands down with the DMK being pushed to the third spot and Vijayakant emerging as the Leader of Opposition.
However, their ties did not last. In February 2012, Jayalalithaa snapped relations with the DMDK following a showdown with Vijayakant in the Assembly. She termed his conduct in the Assembly “disgusting and crude.”
“The Opposition Leader’s conduct today is an example of what will happen if undeserving persons suddenly find themselves in high positions,” she said. “I want to put it on record now that I was never keen on this alliance (with the DMDK). I agreed to it only to satisfy my party cadre,” she said. “Looking at how obnoxiously they have behaved, I regret that my party faced an election with them as allies. I regret it and I am ashamed,” Jayalalithaa said while predicting the DMDK’s political fortunes would go only downhill from thereon.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa interacts with DMDK president Vijayakant in Chennai on May 16, 2011
| Photo Credit:
PTI
A political miscalculation by Vijayakant in 2016, when he refused an olive branch from Karunanidhi, led to severe electoral setbacks for his party.
As for the charge that he was an alcoholic, in May 2015, Vijayakant for the first time said, “I am not addicted to liquor. I am ready to undergo a medical test to disprove the allegations.”
Published – October 22, 2025 05:00 am IST
