Vijaya Prabhakaran, the Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam's (DMDK) candidate for the Virudhunagar Lok Sabha seat in Tamil Nadu and son of actor Vijayakanth, shared his perspective on the political landscape in the state. In an exclusive conversation with India Today TV, Prabhakaran remarked that while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may dominate discussions on social media, its influence in rural Tamil Nadu is considerably limited.
He emphasized that Tamil Nadu's political arena typically revolves around a contest between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). According to Prabhakaran, despite the BJP's presence in urban areas and on digital platforms, its support base diminishes significantly in the rural hinterlands of Tamil Nadu.
Prabhakaran, whose party is in alliance with the AIADMK, opined that the rallies held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah would not sway more than "one percent" of Tamil Nadu's electorate.
Delving into local issues, Prabhakaran highlighted the challenges faced by various constituencies within the Virudhunagar Lok Sabha seat. He cited illegal firecracker factories as a pressing concern in Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, and Sattur, where fatal explosions have occurred in the past. Additionally, demands for infrastructure development, such as the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and software parks, have been raised in Tirumangalam and Tirupparankundram.
Prabhakaran also addressed civic issues prevalent in rural areas, emphasizing the need for their resolution. Responding to criticism from the Congress candidate, Manickam Tagore, who labeled the AIADMK as the "B team of BJP," Prabhakaran dismissed it as a desperate tactic borne out of Tagore's anticipation of defeat.
Expressing confidence in replicating the electoral success of the 2011 Assembly elections, where the AIADMK-DMDK alliance emerged victorious, Prabhakaran underscored their long-term goal for the 2026 Assembly elections. He reiterated the determination to build upon past achievements, aiming for continued success in future electoral battles.
