For Vijay, a test of stardom and ground presence

Chennai/ Tiruchirappalli: In Perambur and Tiruchirappalli (East), the choice before voters this election is stark: a high-profile debut by actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay as the chief-ministerial face of a fledgling party, or familiar local candidates with established ground presence. 

The contests in two urban constituencies have turned into a test of whether star power can outweigh accessibility and organisational depth. The contests are unfolding along similar lines, but with different local factors. 

Perambur is largely expected to be a contest between Vijay and the DMK’s R D Shekar, with the PMK’s Thilagabama M trailing, while the battle is triangular in Tiruchirappalli (East) — between Vijay, the DMK’s Inigo S Irudayaraj, and the AIADMK’s G Rajasekaran. 

The strategy, party insiders said, was less about winning two seats and more about creating a wider psychological ripple across urban Tamil Nadu.

The demography of both constituencies is interesting: Both have a sizeable minority presence. That is especially true for Tiruchirappalli (East), and that was one of the reasons Vijay chose it; he is Christian. 

Why Perambur?

In Perambur, labourers and railway employees form a big chunk of voters due to the presence of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and other railway establishments. Christians, Anglo-Indians, Muslims, and Dalits form a significant part of the electorate in Perambur and Dalit identity is central in Vyasarpadi and other slum pockets.

For many voters here, local issues matter more than broader narratives of development. “I will vote for Vijay. I believe we should give a chance to a newcomer,” 57-year-old Devaraj told DH, adding that he had been an AIADMK voter. 

Support for Vijay seems to be stronger in localities dominated by the lower-middle class and the poor: They believe their constituency attaining “star-status” might solve long-pending problems. 

The rampant sale and use of drugs are one of the major problems that people flag in Perambur. “You can see ganja being sold openly in residential areas without any fear of the police. How do we live peacefully?” Rajesh, an auto driver, asked. 

These issues trump the DMK government’s welfare projects and infrastructure push for north Chennai in the last five years – new parks, swanky bus terminuses, flyovers, and newly laid roads. 

But the contest is far from one-sided. Some say it is better to vote for the DMK as its candidate Shekar is a local and can be approached anytime. 

 “It will be a tough fight. DMK has strong presence here and they are reaching out to every household. Moreover, the DMK candidate is a local and can be approached anytime,” Senthil, a resident, told DH.

Challenge from the DMK

Besides youngsters, a significant section of women also supports Vijay as they believe he would herald a change. Some are also sentimental when they talk about the actor. “My daughter was Vijay’s fan, and she passed away three years ago. I will certainly vote for him,” a woman said. 

But the biggest challenge to Vijay might come from the DMK’s well-oiled election infrastructure. For the DMK, the challenge is countering Vijay’s stardom. 

If Perambur is a test of discontent, Tiruchirappalli (East) — a constituency with a mix of Christian Vellalars, Hindu Vellalars, Muslims, and other communities — is a test of balance. 

The fight in Tiruchi (east)

While youngsters and women cutting across religious lines are willing to give Vijay a chance, DMK MLA Irudayaraj, a local, is putting up a tough fight by flaunting his “good work” in the last five years and his accessibility. 

The caste dynamics are also interesting. Both Vijay and Irudayaraj are Christian Vellalars, while AIADMK nominee G Rajasekaran is a Hindu Vellalar. He believes a split in the Christian Vellalar votes might help him.

That mix has made the contest less predictable, and more closely fought.

 Irudayaraj is the founder of Christhuva Nallenna Iyakkam which works among Christians and enjoys a good rapport with people, and the DMK is leaning heavily on familiarity and delivery. 

“I am a people-oriented person. I am confident that I will win because I am a local person,” Irudayaraj told DH on the campaign trail. “People have to choose between a person who will be at their service or an actor who is not accessible even to his own party workers,” the DMK candidate added. 

Irudayaraj has also been involved in religious outreach, with several churches backing him and projecting him as a “true Christian.” But people in the constituency don’t view Vijay through the prism of Christianity.

Vinoth Kumar, an MSc graduate who is looking for a job, raises the doubt as to whether Vijay will resign from Tiruchi (East) if he wins both seats. “It is a tough competition only because of Inigo. Otherwise, we can surely say Vijay will win. But I will vote for Inigo because he is a local,” Kumar told DH.

However, Vijay’s star power has already made a large section of Muslims and Christians excited and inclined to vote for him. “I don’t think Vijay will lose from Tiruchirappalli (East). People may not say it aloud, but I believe they will vote for him,” software professional Aravind told DH.

Whether that gamble pays off will depend on how many voters choose aspiration over access, and how many decide that proximity still matters more than promise.