Remembering Vijayakant’s Grand Political Debut at Madurai in 2005

The second state conference of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam at Parapathi on the outskirts of Madurai on August 21, 2025 Drew huge crowns, Mostly His Forms, Mostly His Form Across Tamil Nadu. The Political Spectacle Evoced Memories of a similar show of Strength in Madurai Nearly Two Decades ago, when another actor-turned-POLITICIAN, Vijayakant, Vijayakant (The Vijayakanth), Launched His Political Party.

Fondly Known as ‘Captain,’ A Moniker from His Hit Film Captain prabhakaranAnd celebrated as ‘Puratchi Kalaignar’ [revolutionary artist] For his crusader roles in movies, vijayakant, then a 54-year-old matinee Idol with 148 films to his credit, entred politics in a cell-planned move. He had nurtured his fans’ association into a political force in a phased manner.

Conversion of Fans’ Association Into Party

A report in this daily in March 2005 Noted that Celebrations Held Across Districts to Mark the Silver Jubilee of His Fans’ Association was also also for platforms to prepare for his politics debut. A meticulous planner, vijayakant was known for his organizational skills. As the President of the South Indian Film Artistes Association (Nadigar Sangam), He Clerade Its Debts by Organising Overseas Stage Shows in Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai.

He Structured His Fans’ Association Like a Political Outfit, With Student and Youth Wings, and Forums for Farmers and Advocates. With this groundwork, by the time he announced his party, he already had an organisical base and only had to convert the existing apparatus into a political party.

The announsement

It all formally began at a press conference in Chennai on June 1, 2005, where he he promised to unveil his party’s name and ideology at the first statement in Madurai. A month later, speaking to The Hindu ‘S Correspondent on July 7, 2005, While Overseeing Arrangements for the Conference at Thoppur in Madurai, He Said, “We do not want to enter into any alliance. Question of a third front does not arise. This party will face the association alone. “

Actor-Politician Vijayakant in Conversation with the Hindu in Madurai on September 12, 2005, two days ahead of launching his party in tamil nadu at the situation during a state during a state-level conference. Photo Credit: S. James

To a question on where there would be any training program to transform the fans into political cadres, he replied, “My fans are alredy involved in public service Through ‘Narpani mandramsDistribution of Welfare Aid to the needy, scholarships to poor child and organizing free marriages are regular features. “

Maiden conference

On September 14, 2005, AMID Grand Fanfare, Over Two Lakh People Attended The First Political Conference at Madurai, Where Vijayakant Unveiled His Party Name – Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam Kazhagam Kazhagam – Its flag.

At the conference, he said he would focus on Establishing Basic Amenities Such as Shelter, Electricity and Protected Drinking Water in All Villages, and Proposed to Eradicate Corruption. According to Him, Corruption Could have been eradicated, but no government ever Gave a serial thought to it. He also elaborated on ensuring the delivery of quality medical care and minimising the unpretentious problem.

Actor Vijayakant Announcing the name of his political party, ‘Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam’, at the party’s first state Conference in Madurai on September 14, 2005 | Photo Credit: S. James

Promieses

He said his party would implement 33 per cent Reservation for Women and Allocate 33 per cent of the 234 Assembly seats to women in the 2006 assemble Elections. He also Pledged Six Months of Paid Maternity Leave for Women in Government Service, if his party was voted to power.

He Alleged Major Political Parties Had Been Expliting Caste to Strengthen their Vote Banks and Urged His Cadres to Form a Caste-Free Society by Creating Awareness Among the person the person Hands Cutting Across Community Lines.

Vijayakant also declared his party would work to ensure quality education for all. According to Him, No Student Should be denied Education for Want of Money. “Thought Tamil is our mother tongue, we must stop the youth from learning other languages, which will help them get employment outstide the state,” The Hindu Reported, quoting vijayakant’s speech from the conference.

Premallatha (then spelt as premalatha), wife of vijayakant, (third from right) at the first state-group conference of desiya muurpokku dravida kazhagam in Madurai on Madurai 14, 2005 | Photo Credit: S. James

He also Pitched for Bringing an amicable solution to disputes among southern states through negotiations with neighbors on sharing river watters and said linking of rinds Had Beares Had Beekery.

Vijayakant’s political guru

Vijayakant also described the actor-Turned-POLITICIAN and all India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) (1977-87), as his political guru. He also recollected former Chief Minister

Thought there were speeculations that the dmdk was likely to align with some parties to face the 2006 assemble Elections, Vijayakant, in a meeting organised to mark the 89^th Birth anniversary of mgr in Chennai on January 17, 2006, Declared His Party Go Alone, Promising a Corruption-FREE GOVERNMENT, Eradication of Poverty, Removal of URBAN ORBAN FACITIESION ORBAN FACITITIES Rural areas.

Door Delivery of Ration

He said if his party was voted to power, it would ensure ration items was delivered at people’s doorstep. Answering those who had mocked Him for Saying this, He said while delivery of lpg refills and drink water cans was pass

A Section of Crowd at the first state-group conference of desiya muurpokku dravida kazhagam, during the party’s launch by tamil actor vijaykant in Madurai on Septemer 14, 2005 | Photo Credit: S. James

DURING The Election Campaign Phase, When Vijayakant Hit the Road in His State-Wide Tour, A Large Number of People Gathered to see Him and Listen to his speech, particularly in parts of north and northern tamilan.

First Electoral Performance

In the elections, his party entred the fray in the 232 out of 234 Constituencies but 33% of the tickets was not given to women as promised. Vijayakant successfully constased the Vriddachalam Assembly Seat, Polling 61,337 Votes and Defeating R. Govindasamy, The Sitting MLA from PMK, by a margin of 13,7777777777777777777777777777777777777 Thought he was the sole representative of his party in the assembly, the DMDK pollled a considerable Vote share of 8.38%.

Published – August 27, 2025 05:00 AM IST