- 2 days ago
The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections signal a potential shift from traditional bipolar politics toward a multi-cornered contest. The entry of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam targets young voters, threatening established vote banks and the anti-incumbency landscape.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:20I'm ready for the marathon, the Tamil Nadu Chennai Marathon.
00:45And don't forget you cannot end a meal in this part of the world without coffee.
00:54They think my red color means I'm with a CPI.
00:57I should not have won red.
01:18Hello and welcome to elections on my plate.
01:23There are few states where the politics is as distinctive as here in Tamil Nadu.
01:29Where else but in Tamil Nadu is linguistic and cultural identity so intimately linked to voter behavior?
01:38Where else but in Tamil Nadu are the national parties so marginal to the political discourse
01:45which is dominated by the regional parties now for decades?
01:50Where else but in Tamil Nadu are actor politicians and their fan clubs still such a potent force?
01:57Where else but in Tamil Nadu do the smaller parties play such a disproportionate role in influencing elections across such
02:06a large state?
02:07Not to forget that Tamil Nadu has been a trendsetter when it comes to women's empowerment linked to cash transfers
02:15and other welfare benefits.
02:18All of which begs the question, what will happen in Tamil Nadu in 2026?
02:23Across this complex state, are we seeing the first genuine triangular fight in a very long time?
02:31To answer all those questions, join me on elections on my plate.
02:54Okay, my guide on this journey in Tamil Nadu is my colleague Pramod Madhav, our Chennai bureau chief.
03:03Manakam Pramod, welcome to Chennai.
03:06Thank you, early morning, as you can see Pramod much fitter than me because every morning he goes for a
03:12walk.
03:13So, we are going to start our day early morning before the heat hits us with a quick morning walk.
03:19Hot, hotter, hottest in Chennai.
03:21Chennai heat begins by 5.30 pm itself sir, considering it's 5.30 am, considering it's summer, so it's already
03:27here.
03:28And all the people are very excited to see you here as well.
03:30That's right, there are only three seasons, hot, hotter, hottest.
03:44What is going to happen in the elections?
03:48DMK or Vijay?
03:50No matter who comes, they are not going to do anything. What's the point?
03:55What is the biggest issue for people?
04:01No government is taking care of the basic necessities.
04:17Sir, Vijay seems to bring a lot of crowd, but he believes that that will actually only break the votes.
04:22He's a vote-cutter?
04:24Vote-cutter.
04:25Vote-cutter, yes.
04:26He's a vote-cutter.
04:27But whose vote is he cutting? DMK's vote or AIDMK's vote?
04:30Maximum DMK's.
04:32He's cutting maximum DMK's votes?
04:35Only for DMK, only DMK.
04:37Next DMK.
04:38Next DMK.
04:39But what about allegations of corruption against DMK, corruption, family Raj, after father, son, that is not a problem?
04:47No problem.
04:47Tamil Nadu is good working, DMK.
04:50And AIDMK?
04:52AIDMK no working.
04:54Money making.
04:56Money making.
04:56All money making.
04:57Every party is accused in Tamil Nadu of money making.
04:59Every party.
04:59Good money making.
05:01AIDMK making money.
05:04AIDMK makes money and keeps it at their home.
05:06DMK is doing good for the state infrastructure and such.
05:09What will happen in the election?
05:11Stalin.
05:11Why?
05:12Our vote-cutter is a...
05:14AIDMK.
05:16AIDMK.
05:17AIDMK.
05:18If we vote for Stalin, she gets 1000 rupees per month.
05:20Now I think AIDMK will be better than DMK.
05:24AIDMK will be better than DMK?
05:26Yes sir.
05:26What about Vijay?
05:27What about actor Vijay?
05:28He is actor only.
05:29There is nothing between the...
05:30Actor only?
05:31He is actor only.
05:32He will also get a sizable vote.
05:35Sizeable vote?
05:36Yeah, sizable vote.
05:37Vijay have some power.
05:39Why?
05:40He is saying he is only a film star?
05:41No, no, no, no.
05:42Not only he is a film star.
05:44He will get minimum 20% of the vote.
05:4720% of the vote?
05:49Yeah, I hope.
05:49I hope.
05:50You will tell me what is going to happen in this election?
05:53AIDMK will come.
05:53Change will come sir.
05:55Change will come?
05:55Definitely change will come this time.
05:57What is going to happen in the election this time?
05:58What is the young one?
05:59We think TVK is going to break the whole...
06:04TVK is Vijay party.
06:05AIDMK.
06:06TVK in sense Vijay.
06:07So you believe that the younger people want change?
06:09Really.
06:09We are really fed up with this year's current party.
06:14But what is it about Vijay that is attracting you?
06:17We just need a change.
06:18That's it.
06:18We just need a change?
06:19Yeah.
06:19And you think that Vijay represents change?
06:21Yes.
06:22Vijay is doing anything.
06:23He doesn't know politics.
06:24What has Vijay done?
06:25He doesn't know politics.
06:26Our politics.
06:27But he has to learn more.
06:29He has to learn state.
06:30Yeah.
06:30He wants to learn more.
06:31We don't want BJP to enter.
06:34You don't want BJP to enter?
06:36No.
06:36We don't want communal problem here.
06:38Like UP, Gujarat, like Madhya Brades, Rajasthan.
06:42We don't want that.
06:54Okay, folks.
06:56Pramod.
06:57What's up?
06:57Ready for a serious political conversation?
06:59We sure are, but with a very good breakfast.
07:02Ah, when you're in Chennai, the one thing that you have to have along with a serious political conversation is
07:09a serious Tamil breakfast.
07:11No place like Chennai when it comes to a good breakfast.
07:14Let's go.
07:18Ah, now one of the real revolutions taking place in this country is the running revolution.
07:23So, I can see at the breakfast table, we've got running clubs here.
07:27That's quite a dosa.
07:29What do you call this one?
07:30Ghee roast.
07:31Ghee roast.
07:32So, you've got a ghee roast like a pyramid.
07:33Who's going to win the marathon of the Tamil Nadu elections?
07:37I want TVK.
07:39You want TVK.
07:40You want TVK?
07:40You want Vijay?
07:41Why?
07:42Like I want some changes.
07:44You want some changes.
07:45You think an actor can bring changes?
07:47Yeah, I think since MGR can do, then Vijay can also do, right?
07:52You think Vijay can be an MGR?
07:54Not MGR.
07:55He can be a Vijay.
07:56He can be a Vijay.
07:57What about you?
07:58TVK.
07:59TVK?
08:02TVK.
08:03The running club, all of you under first time voters or second time?
08:06Second time.
08:07Second time.
08:07But all under 30?
08:09Yeah.
08:10Okay.
08:10This is the core group.
08:11Who do you all want?
08:12Who do the young want?
08:15Someone who would make a change.
08:17Even if it's the present one or a new one.
08:20You want someone who will make a change.
08:22What kind of change do you want?
08:24Change that's helping the education, helping people.
08:29That's what you want.
08:30Yeah.
08:30Do you see any leader who inspires you in Tamil Nadu?
08:33Someone whom you say, wow, I like this guy.
08:36Or like this lady.
08:37Do you like somebody?
08:38Ma'am?
08:39Jai Lalita maybe.
08:40Jai Lalita maybe.
08:41Jai Lalita, but she's not there anymore.
08:42But, inspiration or like, and the madri's all right.
08:45She inspired you?
08:46Yeah.
08:47No, none of these leaders inspire you today?
08:49Jai Lalita.
08:50What's the best thing to be having here?
08:52It's Ghee Parapapodi Dosa.
08:54Ghee Parapapodi Dosa.
08:56Yeah.
08:56Lovely.
08:57So at least I've got that right.
08:59That's what I'm going to have.
09:00But as you say, all of you want something new, inspirational, some change in politics.
09:10Kavita, how are you?
09:12Good to see you my friend.
09:14This is Kavita Mudli Dharan, who writes for India today.
09:18Pramod still with us.
09:19We're going to do some serious political talk in a moment.
09:23But before that, I need to order my food.
09:27I was recommended a Ghee Parapapodi Dosa.
09:33So, I'm going to order a Ghee Parapapodi Dosa.
09:56Okay, we're going to enjoy the food one by one, but let's get down to the serious business of the
10:00elections.
10:01Am I right in saying that this is arguably the most unpredictable election that Tamil Nadu has seen in a
10:07long time?
10:08Since I covered elections.
10:09Since I started covering elections in 98, I think this is the most unpredictable election I've ever covered.
10:14It's the most unpredictable election you've ever covered.
10:16Why do you say that, Kavita?
10:17Because I think I have seen many third friends emerge.
10:21I've seen many new actors in elections emerge, around elections.
10:24And this is the first time none of the journalists covering elections are sure how much of an impact this
10:31new actor Vijay will have in Tamil Nadu's politics.
10:34It's very unpredictable.
10:35Nobody knows what kind of vote he's going to take and from which...
10:39I mean, nobody's...
10:40I mean, we can all make assumptions.
10:42And whose vote is he taking more importantly?
10:44See, for now our guess is he's taking most of the ADNK votes.
10:49Because he models himself on MGR.
10:51Though I don't see him working like MGR did.
10:54His style in politics is not what MGR did.
10:56There's a belief that Vijay can have a post-pol alliance with the BJP or the AIDNK.
11:01Yeah.
11:02After the election.
11:02One of the union ministers also said that openly.
11:05Yeah.
11:06So, what is that interesting because what is the BJP's role in this election?
11:10Narendra Modi last time invested a lot of political capital 2024 Lok Sabha in Tamil Nadu.
11:16This time, do you see the BJP having any kind of role in this election or is it all post
11:21-pol?
11:22Sir, for this time in this election they have been given 27 seats.
11:25The time they were given 27 seats itself it became a little troublesome because Arna Malay is not contesting.
11:30Yeah.
11:31People from Chennai, main people like Vinoj P. Selvam is not contesting.
11:35And these were like actual people who were on the ground.
11:38Another person is S.D. Surya.
11:39He is not contesting.
11:41They were actually working in Velacheri.
11:42They wanted harbour.
11:44And even after all these issues, Arna Malay who has been the pole bearer for BJP, he has decided not
11:51to contest.
11:52So, the BJP is not as much of a player this time in terms of even compared to 2024.
12:00It's more post-pol.
12:01It's more post-pol.
12:01Whatever they do is post-pol.
12:03See, I think they've tried their best to get Vijay into their alliance and it's not worked.
12:07And I think there were other kinds of pressure also.
12:09Especially with CBA and Query with Janana again and censorship issue.
12:13No, Vijay wanted AIDMK.
12:14That did not happen and then he wanted Congress.
12:16In his last meeting also he said that the true Congress is with Vijay.
12:20You know that turns to the Congress.
12:22There was a group around Rahul Gandhi that was openly calling for an alliance with Vijay.
12:27Is the Congress at all a factor or just piggybacking now on the DMK?
12:32The DMK runs the show as far as the UPA is concerned.
12:36Congress is reluctantly joining it.
12:40I think, I've seen Rahul Gandhi's meetings in Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
12:44And I think people have an emotional connect with Rahul Gandhi.
12:46But that doesn't translate to connect with Congress in Tamil Nadu.
12:49Why is the DMK relying so much on these cash handouts to women?
12:54Because Jailalita used to have the women vote.
12:56Has that also shifted to DMK?
12:58I think a lot of women are now want to vote for the DMK because of many schemes including the
13:03cash transfer and especially the bus scheme.
13:06I think bus scheme is very interesting because...
13:08Free bus rights.
13:08Yeah.
13:10They are very important because it helps women to go from one place to another.
13:14Mobility translates to independence for many women in Tamil Nadu.
13:17You know, like you save that money.
13:18So you're saying despite corruption, there's a sense of some decent governance and administration that gives DMK a cache.
13:27What's the best thing about covering an election in Tamil Nadu?
13:30You go first Pramod.
13:32The mood, the colour and the people.
13:35The mood, the colour and the people.
13:37And the people.
13:38That's the best.
13:39You still have a lot of money power which is why you have these large colourful rallies and road shows.
13:45You can't win in Tamil Nadu without lots of money.
13:47That formula was brought in Tamil Nadu.
13:49Tirumangalam formula.
13:50It was initiated over here.
13:52That's right.
13:52Giving money for vote.
13:53Money for votes.
13:54You also were the state that brought in the freebie culture in a way.
13:57Welfare schemes.
13:58Welfare.
13:58You call it welfare.
13:59It was earlier called freebies.
14:02Now it's full welfare.
14:03Welfare schemes for a level playing field.
14:05Yes.
14:06Look at the colours on our thali and on our plate.
14:09For me that makes, one of the things that makes Tamil Nadu so special, the breakfast.
14:14I'm going to enjoy my breakfast, my pongal, my idli with the podi and my dosa.
14:21Too much podi may not be good for my health but we'll leave that for another day.
14:27We're going to hit the campaign trail in a moment.
14:29You're watching elections on my plate.
14:33Can you see my vada?
14:36Crispy.
14:37Terrific.
14:48Okay, our first campaign pit stop here is in Thousand Lights Constituency, a citadel of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
14:57once.
14:57Yes.
14:58The candidate of the DMK is the incumbent, Dr. Eddie Anand.
15:01As you can see from the flags around me, Pramod, it's not just DMK, it's a 20 party alliance.
15:07We have VCK flags, MDMK, DMDK flags.
15:10This is an alliance really.
15:12Well, we can call it as a rainbow alliance, sir.
15:14Because every other party, almost 20 parties have come together for the DMK and DMK is leading the party.
15:19Even Congress is inside over here.
15:21But DMK is driving the entire alliance.
15:24Yes.
15:24Chief Minister Stalin driving it.
15:26Okay.
15:27Can Stalin do what even his father Karnanidi could not?
15:32Get reelected after five years in power.
15:36Let's go and meet the candidate here, Dr. Eddie Anand.
15:39Come with us.
15:49Only friends, it is only for DMK.
15:52DMK is not a family party.
15:53DMK is a worker party.
15:55Yeah, it's a worker party.
16:00DMK.
16:01Strong foundation.
16:03DMK is Stalin.
16:04And within is Stalin.
16:09Sweet pinning DMK and alliance.
16:14Good to see you.
16:15How do you say it?
16:16Vanakkam?
16:18Vanakkam.
16:19Vanakkam.
16:19Okay.
16:20Vanakkam, sir.
16:21Vanakkam.
16:22Would you agree that re-election is even more difficult than election?
16:262021 was easier than 2026.
16:29Now you are facing anti-incumbency.
16:31Do you agree or not?
16:32Anti-incumbency is a very, very pseudo-statement regarding this.
16:36Pseudo-statement.
16:36Regarding 2026 election because each and every household has been received by our CM's various achievements.
16:43And for the past five years, we have been with the people completely.
16:47This election is like 26 is much more easier because people are saying, people are giving us a message that
16:52you will win comfortably.
16:53The opposition is saying a family Raj in DMK.
16:57They are saying corruption in DMK.
16:59They are saying infrastructure in Chennai during the floods was found wanting.
17:03How do you respond to the charges which is being made?
17:05This family thing and corruption charges has been a common denominator for each and every election for DMK.
17:10But DMK is sweeping powers in 21 as well as in 26.
17:13Regarding infrastructure, our CM has developed a Thirupukal committee.
17:17We have placed 344 kilometers of stormwater drains, revamped all our canals.
17:22Imagine the recent floods in 2025 was the same centimeter equivalent in 2015.
17:28People were completely hassle-free.
17:30Infrastructure, we have increased the green cover of Chennai city by more than 30%.
17:34You have seen the various parks have also been increased.
17:37Regarding Padifagam library...
17:39So you are saying that's pro-incumbency?
17:40That's more pro-incumbency.
17:41You are saying that people want Mr. Stalin to continue for five years?
17:45Yes.
17:45Here, Tamil Nadu, you should understand, Rajdeep, that with the self-respect of Tamers,
17:50people who stand for Tamil identity, people who stand for state rights have a unique proposition
17:56and our Honorable CM is a unique leader regarding this particular aspect.
18:00No, because people are then saying, when you say states rights, you are pitting Chennai versus Delhi.
18:04Tamil Nadu versus Delhi.
18:06No, you are saying it's Tamil Nadu versus Delhi.
18:08You are all part of one country.
18:09You were part of a BJP alliance when Mr. Vajpayee was in power.
18:13Suddenly, you are pitting Tamil Nadu versus the Modi government.
18:16You should understand the Vajpayee regimen of 1999 to 2004.
18:19And Vajpayee's statementship is completely different.
18:22Vajpayee didn't allow CAA.
18:23Vajpayee didn't allow the Kashmir Arab immigration.
18:26Vajpayee didn't allow the Uniform Civil Court.
18:28You should understand the common minimum program made by Kalinger and then Chandra Babi Nadu
18:31shaped up and Vajpayee was able.
18:33But what you see now, the difference between NDA1 Vajpayee's statementship
18:36and difference between Modi's statements is different.
18:39Who is your principal adversary in this election? AIDMK or are you worried about TVK and its popularity among the
18:45young?
18:46Our principal opposition is AIDMK and BJP alliance
18:49because they are the ones who are acting various ways in order to infiltrate into Tamil Nadu that Tamil Nadu
18:55people won't allow.
18:56How do you respond to those who say DMK is a family party?
18:59That at the end of the day, it is a family which is running what was supposed to be a
19:03Carter party.
19:03Yes, yes, I admit we are a family party, we are a family of Periyar, we are a family of
19:06Aringaranda, we are a family of Kalinga.
19:09We are all the family of Periyar, we are a family of Anna and family of Kalinga.
19:13What about the image of your party as seen as corruption, encouraging corruption?
19:17One of your ministers, Sentil Balaji went to jail and there is a sense that the DMK's forgotten ideology now
19:23only wants money and power.
19:24You see corruption, it is as if you see only a part and parcel of the politics of Tamil Nadu
19:29or the politics of DMK.
19:30Is it there or not? Are you all a party of money power?
19:34No, you should say any court verdicted, court punishment made should be done, should be reflected.
19:38Say for the parties, see BJP has a washing machine, you see the case is implicated on Ajit Babar, immediately
19:45switch over to BJP camp, the washing machine is cleaned.
19:48How many washing machines BJP had? You should note that, no?
19:50One more! One more! One more! One more!
19:53One more! One more!
20:14Do you believe that Tamil Nadu should have a two language or a three language formula for schools? The government
20:21here wants two languages, the centre is saying NEP new education policy should have three languages, two or three languages?
20:27Sir, we are already running into a two language policy which is the most successful thing. Comparing to other states,
20:33Tamil Nadu is doing better in the education.
20:34Also in the higher education, we are having very less dropout rates, comparing to other states.
20:41So you want only Tamil and English? Why not Hindi?
20:45Basically Tamil is our identity and it's our mother tongue. It's right to learn in Tamil. And English is connecting
20:52us globally.
20:53Don't impose Hindi here. So we have a regional language here, our mother tongue, Tamil. So we speak Tamil here.
21:01When we go overseas or somewhere else, we speak English. So in other states, we have three language policies which
21:09is followed by English as well.
21:11Do we have any fear of learning English there? No, right? They can also speak in English. Why should we
21:17learn their regional language?
21:19You see Hindi as a regional language? You don't see it as a national language?
21:23Never sir, never. Why should we see it as a national language?
21:26Pointing out Hindi as the main thing refers to making Hindi the only language, the only truth that India has
21:35to show to the world.
21:36Which you don't agree? India has diversity of languages?
21:39Yes, India is diverse, India is multilingual. At the same time, we have to remember that imposing Hindi is a
21:44hegemony.
21:45The third language policy has to be optional. It has to be optional. It's not like if they have any
21:50interest, they will learn on their own.
21:51So you are saying suppose tomorrow Bihari comes and lives in Tamil Nadu, he must learn Tamil.
21:56Yes. Right? Just as if you tomorrow go to, everybody must learn each other's languages but nothing should be imposed.
22:01Is it being made a political, emotional issue just to create a kind of sense of Tamil pride?
22:06It absolutely is because this is Tamil Nadu, Tamil country. So be the Dravidian parties or the associative parties, everybody
22:14claim the two language policies necessary to protect their mother tongue.
22:18Our former chief minister, Anna Durei, once mentioned that when someone asked, there is more Hindi speaking people in our
22:27country, so Hindi should be the national language.
22:29When our leader Anna mentioned, there is more crows than a peacock. Then crows can be announced as a national
22:37bird.
22:39Okay, that's a good point. Everything is directly based upon the fact that the people are provided with the skill.
22:46So we want to provide our people skill, not another language, which is not actually helping them in their own
22:52life.
22:53So you are saying you need skill development. If anything, the focus funding should be on skill development rather than
22:58another language.
23:08So it's all about that. If your job requires it, you'll do it, but you do not want imposition. That's
23:14the message. And you've got a message for the AIDMK also, which is that you need to make your policy
23:20clear that if you come to power with the BJP, will you go along with two language or three language
23:25formula?
23:26We'll ask them that question also. But thank you all very much for joining us. Thank you. Good young voices
23:31here in Tamil Nadu. And as you said, you're one of the leading states when it comes to education, including
23:37medical education.
23:39Let's go and find out what the AIDMK has to say about some of the contentious issues raised here. Let's
23:45go, Pramod.
24:01Okay, so if this election is a chance for the DMK to rewrite history by getting re-elected after five
24:08years in power, for the AIDMK, this is a do or die battle 10 years after the passing away of
24:14Jailalitha.
24:15Two consecutive Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha defeat mean that this is an existential battle almost for their leader, E.
24:23Palani Sami. Am I right, Pramod, to put it that way?
24:26Sir, very clearly EPS was able to hold the party together. He has kept the twin leaf symbol also alive.
24:31But will he be the people's choice? This he has to prove in this election.
24:34Okay, let's then go and meet one of the candidates of the AIDMK, its former minister and a close aide
24:44once of Jailalitha, S. Walarmathi, as she campaigns here in Thousand Lights constituency of Chennai in the slum pockets of
24:52this area. Come with us.
24:58Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Not easy. Not easy to do door-to-door campaigning. Not easy.
25:04People are saying that BJP is using AIDMK to try and enter into Tamil Nadu.
25:09No, no, that is a Stalin agenda. That is a DMK agenda.
25:16This is a state election. Here we have to, we have to, we have to change the government.
25:26AIDMK, who is in the front seat?
25:31AIDMK.
25:32Which party is good for women?
25:34AIDMK.
25:35It's a family party. Okay, family party.
25:38AIDMK party. Yeah, yes.
25:44You admit that this is a more difficult election for you than when Jailalitha was there.
25:50When Jailalitha was there, AIDMK had a strong leader. Now you don't have a strong leader.
25:54AID다면, Denha, the Lrag of Marlok.
26:01AIDAK.
26:02AIDAF.
26:09Buster vedere.
26:14AIDK.
26:16AIDONY willing.
26:40But is EPS fully in control of this party? Is this do or die election for AIDMK?
26:46Do you have to do or die election for AIDMK?
27:30The point is, for example, two language formula or three language formula. BJP at the center is talking about three
27:38language policy. Here in Tamil Nadu there is talk of two language policy.
27:44Which will you accept? If your government is formed, will you accept three language formula? Will you accept it or
27:50not?
27:55The point is, for example, one language is a language. The language is a language. The language is a language.
28:09The language is a language.
28:11The language is a language. The language is a language. The language is a language. It is always two language
28:25policy.
28:27You will be able to tell Delhi that, sorry, in Tamil Nadu only two languages.
28:33Yes. Because there is a feeling, I keep repeating, Narendra Modi ji and BJP want to grow using you. They
28:40are using AIDMK for their own growth.
28:42The language is a language. The language is a language. The language is a language. It is a DMK's allegation.
28:52I admit that.
28:53Not you.
28:54I am only asking you the question. What is DMK saying? They are saying you are being run by Delhi.
29:00No.
29:02Palani Swami is the independent person. He is not run by Delhi. Yes sir. Independent person. Independent person. Yes.
29:09Your policy is Tamil Nadu's policy. Yes. Yes. You will not follow Delhi's policy. No. No.
29:13Do you agree after Jailalitaji that the woman's vote is no longer with AIDMK?
29:17It is. But there you go even, with other
29:21friends and the body interact. They make this appointment. Some of the people don't want them to do their own
29:37health.
29:38It's almost a lot. They have copiedお願いします. They habits of them.
29:42Because these are all ways that are out there.
30:16We are not forced to go into work.
30:17The police are now on the road.
30:19But no one is on the road.
30:24The police are going to get a police.
30:29They are going to shoot.
30:35You are going to shoot.
30:50How many seats then for AIDMK BJP Alliance? How many seats you will get in Tamil Nadu?
30:562.10. 2.10 out of 2.34? Madam, come on. You know, be realistic. Be realistic, madam.
31:07Just wait, wait, please. We are high thinking. High thinking.
31:14There is a belief that TVK is taking some of the anti-DMK votes and damaging you.
31:20Because if there is anti-incumbency against the government, then TVK is also taking the vote.
31:25Especially young people and women.
31:35You are not worried about Vijay and Vijay's popularity that he is getting such large crowds and all?
31:41Not MGR.
31:42Vijay is not MGR? No.
31:45Vijay is not MGR. He cannot convert this large crowds.
31:49MGR is MGR.
31:51MGR is only one. There is only one MGR. So you are not worried about Vijay dividing the vote?
31:56No. No. No. No.
31:57Your only enemy is DMK? Yes.
31:59Yes.
32:00You have been wearing this for 20 years?
32:02Yes.
32:03What does Amma mean to you?
32:07No words to explain? Yes.
32:10You miss her? Yes.
32:11From MGR to...
32:13Yes.
32:13You have stayed loyal to Amma and MGR.
32:15Yes.
32:16Thank you very much ma'am. Thank you. I wish you well.
32:35Let's hit the campaign trail in a moment again. But first enjoy the Jigar Thanda.
32:41Mera Dil Thanda hai, Jigar Bada hai.
32:47No. NNE Badaam Dal Diya, steering for�ed.
32:57Okay Pramodh?
32:58Now, one of the key factors in this Tamil Nadu election is the woman vote.
33:04Remember, when Jailalitha was in power, that was her key vote buying Pramod.
33:09Now, though, the DMK through cash transfers has consciously targeted women.
33:141,000 rupees a month to be doubled to 2,000, 5,000 rupees one-time payment just before the
33:20election.
33:20And I hear Palani Sami is promising 10,000 rupees as a one-time grant.
33:25So, competition for the women vote, very stiff and all through cash transfers.
33:31It sure is, sir.
33:32DMK has also promised an 8,000 rupees coupon, which we can use for buying any kind of household appliance.
33:38That is also there.
33:39So, they are all competing for that woman vote.
33:40I am told even Vijay is making a brick promise to women.
33:44Vijay was against kind of freebies, but he wants his welfare scheme.
33:47He has promised six LPG cylinders.
33:49Six LPG cylinders.
33:50So, women vote clearly the target.
33:52But do these women voters really appreciate cash transfers?
33:57What do they really want?
33:59Let's try and find out.
34:06These cash transfers, 1,000 rupees DMK, 10,000 promise by Palani Sami, six gas cylinders by Vijay.
34:15Who do they trust?
34:20Does she want cash transfers?
34:23Does she want cash transfers?
34:49Who does she trust more?
34:51DMK's promise, AIDMK's promise or Vijay's promise?
34:55You trust Vijay?
34:56Vijay.
34:56Vijay's promise.
34:57Do they appreciate cash transfers or do they want something else?
35:05They don't want the money.
35:08They want the rulers to do good for the state.
35:16They want the government to work on inflation and reducing the price instead of giving such money.
35:21Make the people earn their own 1,000 rupees.
35:23That's better than giving them one-time 1,000 rupees.
35:38She is satisfied with what DMK is doing?
35:41She is satisfied with what DMK is doing?
35:57Is any party doing anything good for women?
36:00No.
36:00No?
36:01They are giving cash transfers.
36:03One party is giving 1,000 rupees.
36:06That is not welfare of the whole society, of the women's society.
36:10Do you feel safe as a woman in Chennai?
36:12No.
36:13You don't feel safe?
36:14Not really.
36:15You can't go out in the evening on your own?
36:17No.
36:18Do you feel safe as a woman in Chennai?
36:20No.
36:20You feel safe as a woman?
36:22There's no problem with women's safety.
36:24Who do the women believe out of all these leaders are good for Tamil Nadu?
36:29You have got Vijay, you have got DMK, AI-DMK, TVK.
36:35Why?
36:36For a change.
36:37For a change.
36:38Do you feel safe as women in Chennai?
36:41Safety?
36:42Do you feel safe going out in the evening on your own?
36:44You don't feel safe?
36:46No.
36:46You don't feel safe as a young woman going out?
36:48Your parents don't let you go out in the evening?
36:51No.
36:51You don't want a safe city?
36:52No, even my parents don't allow me after 7pm.
36:55You can't go out after 7pm?
36:57Yeah, we can't go.
36:57Because of the men around here.
36:59Because of the men around here?
37:01Interesting.
37:02Bravo, watch out.
37:03Thank you, madam.
37:04Is there a woman vote out there?
37:06And do the women really get attracted by these cash transfers, free bus rides and these
37:11schemes?
37:12What do you think?
37:14I think it's of course attractive, but I'm not convinced that it drives the vote.
37:18I think they do make up their own mind independently.
37:20But obviously the freebies are attractive, but I don't think that's the only factor.
37:24And is Chennai a safe city in general?
37:26Very safe.
37:26Very safe?
37:27Very safe.
37:27Yeah?
37:28Yeah.
37:28Okay.
37:29She's getting it.
37:32How much does she get every month?
37:34A thousand rupees.
37:35A thousand rupees.
37:36Very good.
37:37What are you selling?
37:38Books, kitchens.
37:39Books, kitchens.
37:40Nice.
37:41Stickers.
37:42Okay, I'm going to take one kitchen.
37:43How much?
37:44A hundred.
37:45A hundred?
37:46Okay.
37:47A hundred, one kitchen.
37:51Okay, I've got something to take home, back with me to Delhi here from Chennai.
37:56I like this, I love the colour, but we need lunch and I'm told you're going to take me
38:02to a special place when we go for lunch.
38:05We have promised you all flavours and you'll get all flavours over there.
38:08Lovely.
38:09Flavours of Tamil Nadu.
38:11Let's go for lunch.
38:15Let's go, Pramod.
38:16Yes, sir.
38:19Shaloh.
38:30Okay, Pramod.
38:31What's for lunch?
38:32Veg or non-veg?
38:33Always non-veg, sir.
38:34Always non-veg in Tamil Nadu?
38:36It is.
38:37One of the many myths.
38:38More Tamilians eat non-veg than veg.
38:42Time for the flavours of dindi gul.
38:45Southwest Tamil Nadu, here in Chennai.
38:50Naidu Mutton Biryani, Chicken Biryani, Donut Biryani, Mutton Sukha, Mutton Nalli, Kuchi Mutton Chicken, Ghee Rose, Gundur Chicken.
38:57And you thought Tamil Nadu was vegetarian country.
39:00You forgot the fish.
39:01Forgot the fish.
39:02Time for a dindi gul biryani.
39:05Let's go.
39:06Hello, madam.
39:11Okay, what's the speciality?
39:14Kodai Kanaal Chicken, good taste.
39:16Give me Kodai Kanaal Chicken.
39:17Kodai Kanaal, dindi gul biryani.
39:20And Mutton Nalli Dry Special.
39:23Mutton Nalli Dry.
39:25Chalo, Mutton Nalli Dry.
39:26So, Mutton Nalli Dry, dindi gul biryani.
39:29And Kodai Kanaal Chicken.
39:31So, give me good.
39:32Done?
39:33Huh?
39:33All set?
39:34So, give me good.
39:35Are lovely.
39:36Chalo.
39:37You know, on elections on my plate, who wins, who loses is one of the battles.
39:41The other battle is, where do you get the best biryani?
39:44Today in Chennai, we're going to try dindi gul biryani, a part of Southwest Tamil Nadu.
39:51Flavors of this wonderful state.
40:08We're going to go for this.
40:09When we return, we're going to look at the Vijay Factor.
40:14Why is the actor, politician, becoming such an important figure in this election in Tamil Nadu?
40:21We are watching, elections on our plate.
40:25Enjoy and attack.
40:30Mmm, too good.
40:32You have peppered chicken.
40:59You're watching elections on my plate.
41:03Now, the real X factor in this election has to be the emergence of actor-turned-politician,
41:10the superstar Vijay and his TVK party.
41:14How much vote share will they get?
41:17And importantly, whose vote will they cut?
41:20Is a critical question being asked.
41:22Now, Pramod, Vijay himself has not been speaking to the media.
41:26You and I met him off camera in February.
41:29And he made it very clear.
41:30He didn't want to speak to the media.
41:32Because he wanted to protect his miski.
41:35That he was not an ordinary politician.
41:38Ever since that Karoor Stampede, he stayed away from the media.
41:43How difficult is it to track Vijay?
41:47Quite difficult here because the important issue is that you saw, like, even now his campaigns have been cancelled.
41:53And even if he comes, it's not that easy to approach him.
41:56That is what is making it very difficult for us to approach Vijay.
41:59Okay, since we can't catch Vijay at the moment, we've got the next big thing.
42:04We're going to catch Adhav Arjuna, who's here contesting in Willipuram, which is in the heart of Chennai, a DMK
42:13bastion.
42:14And he is, importantly, not just a key lieutenant of Vijay, but also the son-in-law of Santiago Martin,
42:22the lottery king and the money bags of the TVK.
42:27Let's go and meet Mr. Arjuna.
42:30Come with us.
42:48I will give one chance for Vijay.
43:10He's a common person from us who understands the basic feelings of our community.
43:18He's a common person from us who understands the basic feelings of our community.
43:35Good to meet you.
43:37I met in Delhi, actually.
43:38How are you?
43:38Tell me.
43:39Welcome to Tamil Nadu.
43:40Thank you so much.
43:41Welcome to Vijay Arna Kotai.
43:42Do you believe that you can win this election or are you only there as vote cutters in your first
43:47election?
43:48Your media people said in Punjab election, Hamadmi party is a vote cutter, spoiled party.
43:53Same, Tamil Nadu election is going on.
43:55After 1977, after MGR, people wave, we call it a family wave, we call it a mother's wave.
44:03Every household you can see welcoming us, particularly it's not only me, all 234 assembly constituencies,
44:08all people, particularly all family, particularly women, women, our party is based on the women and youth.
44:15You are calling Vijay the next MGR?
44:19MGR is one MGR, but the history is going to repeat.
44:23This election is not a party-based election.
44:26But this is a DMK bastion. DMK has always been winning here.
44:30Can you really break this?
44:31Chennai is a sweep out in TVK. There is no Chennai.
44:34Here, hereafter, there is no DMK strong belt in Chennai.
44:37Chennai is an out of 38 ACs. We are leading in 30 ACs right now, actually.
44:42What are you?
44:44You can see Mr. M.K. Stalin formed more than 25 party alliance, but Mr. M.K. Stalin's campaign is
44:50totally failed.
44:52So, M.K. Stalin is your main opponent because there is one belief that after the election, you could tie
44:57up with the AID, DMK, BJP.
44:59No, no, no.
44:59Are you a B-team of the BJP?
45:00No, no, no. There is a...
45:01No, you are not a B-team of the BJP?
45:02No, no, no. Actual B-team is Mr. M.K. Stalin and DMK.
45:05Okay. See, I will give the example. I will give the example. Our leader, Janana Egan, Janana Egan movie. Still,
45:13we are facing the legal litigation.
45:14Even the high court gave permission for the movie release. But within the two hours, central government got the other
45:21order, actually. So, we are stuck.
45:23But they are putting pressure on you. CBI case after the Karul stamp it all. You are not bothered at
45:28all. You are not bothered at all. You will not bend even after the election?
45:30How can we are...
45:31Suppose it is a hung assembly and because support is needed, who will you support?
45:34No, no. We are...
45:34Who is your enemy number one?
45:36No, number one is DMK. We are a political rival is DMK. Ideology is a BJP. After Kalinger, M.K.
45:42Stalin, okay, we have experience. But what is the experience? Full corruption. Education, health, road, road and everything.
45:48The corruption. Now, let me be very honest. They say, please ask Mr. Arjuna. His family is the lottery kings
45:55of Tamil Nadu. There was an ED raid on you.
45:58I will ask one second. Sir, I will ask. Sir, I will ask. Sir, I will ask. Sir, I will
46:00ask. You are the money back. Sir, one second. Sir, one second. I will ask. Who's got money, big money
46:05from family? Mr. Martin, DMK. More than 1000 crores. Who's got money? BJP. That is...
46:12we are we are we are martin gave money so one second of course of course who's claimed see
46:19you targeting one person but who got the money dmk got the money so why was that you have to
46:26ask the
46:26private company are you relying on the youth vote that the senior people you are only relying on
46:31youth so you just see next month's fourth day fourth result is not only you it's a woman our party
46:41our party based on woman next second is next second is the you eight to two percentage people want to
46:48throw this monarchy kalengar stalin would they needy then in beneath i know you are you are following
46:54the cricket yes correct if you watch the finals australia india match are you bothered about
47:00the semi-final semi-final match we are the finals why you bother about the semi-finals we've been
47:06already semi-finals this is the finals we are the finals we are playing dmk and dmk tvk where is
47:12one second where is the atmk
47:30one second where is the finals we are all right we are all right we are all right we are
47:36all right
47:50so very nice to see you after such a long time that's right such a pleasure to see a man
47:55who said mind it
47:56Mind it. I want to ask him what explains
48:02star's fascination with politics in Tamil Nadu
48:04and can Vijay do what others have failed
48:08since the great MGR. Come with me.
48:10Come.
48:21We are welcome Rajiv. Come, come, come.
48:26It's almost 50 years since the great MGR became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
48:31Since then, many other stars have tried their luck in politics.
48:35No one has quite succeeded except Jailarita who was also a beneficiary of MGR's legacy.
48:40Do you think Vijay can do what MGR did all those years ago?
48:45My sincere feeling, no.
48:47Despite all this fan frenzy, despite all the crowd that he can pull on his own accord,
48:53none of his cadre can do that.
48:55But you cannot rush into a party and say,
48:58I'm going to do it right now and enthuse the audience or voters to say,
49:02chuck the old party.
49:04It is not easy to dismiss the anti-incumbent factor.
49:08You've got to put a lot of work.
49:10In normal, exactly the way the DMK party put in so much work
49:14between 1952 to 1967.
49:1815 years hard work to win the first elections.
49:20Are you saying that without an organization, without resources,
49:25a star cannot succeed in Tamil Nadu just on fan-following?
49:29I'll give you another phenomenal example.
49:31A very, very dedicated actor called Vijay Khan.
49:33Yes.
49:34He came in between.
49:34DMDK.
49:35DMDK.
49:36He worked very hard, you know, to reach out to the public,
49:38building free marriage halls, free education, free books, everything.
49:42He did so much.
49:43But he didn't have a bandwidth.
49:45When I mean a band of soldiers who can put the boots on the ground
49:48and say, let's march.
49:50He was still a loner.
49:51Yeah, they called him Captain.
49:53Captain, exactly, Captain Vijay Khan.
49:55Why couldn't Kamal Hassan, such a big star, succeed in politics?
49:59So, at that moment, he was feeling that, look, if N.T. Ramurav could do,
50:03he was, that was his legacy.
50:04If N.T. Ramurav could do that alone in Andhra Pradesh,
50:07why can't I do it here?
50:09But N.T. Ramurav had the media with him.
50:12It had E. Nardu with him.
50:13It had Ramoji Rao with him.
50:15But he was first day, first show, super head.
50:17I mean, he's the exception.
50:18Exception to the rule, absolutely.
50:19At the 1980, he did it.
50:22But this is, 30 years later, you can't emulate,
50:25times have changed, television has changed,
50:28digital cinema has changed, digital news has changed.
50:30You've got to be on the top of every little social media platform.
50:34Vijay seems very popular among the young.
50:36They want change.
50:37They want head start.
50:38But they have seen all the change happening in the movie stories.
50:42Every story, there's a change happening.
50:44The hero goes, he fights the villains, and he brings change.
50:47Yeah, so they think that that will happen in real life.
50:48Yeah, that is the problem.
50:49So they cannot mix fiction with reality.
50:52That is fictional hero.
50:54So your advice to the likes of Vijay would be,
50:56you want to really succeed in politics.
50:58Don't treat this as a one-day match.
51:00You're going to have to do this over the next 10, 20 years.
51:03Exactly.
51:03And then you could well succeed if you are able to prove yourself election after election.
51:08So they want to win everything in the first day.
51:11Wait for the next election and wait for the next one.
51:13Probably you'll win that one.
51:15But as a leader, would you say it's NTR and MGR?
51:18These are the big two.
51:19No doubt.
51:20There is no doubt.
51:21Because they had such a long legacy for themselves, you know.
51:25And built NTR was like Krishna, you know.
51:27They always thought he was Sri Krishna on earth.
51:30That kind of adoration, you know.
51:32You have to take time to build it.
51:33You cannot just come out overnight.
51:35Because these people are like icons, you know,
51:37who have replaced gods in the temples, you know.
51:39So they want to worship them in a certain way.
51:42You're saying something interesting.
51:43You think for people in Tamil Nadu,
51:45the stars become a substitute for gods.
51:47Absolutely.
51:48In a state with thousands of temples.
51:50Exactly.
51:51So if you say these temples are not given,
51:53you go worship these lords, you know.
51:54So they are iconized in a certain way.
51:56Mr. Ari Aran, as always, good to talk to you.
51:59Thank you very much.
52:21Mr. Ari Aran, as darkness falls here in Chennai,
52:24we've come to Marina Beach.
52:26Pramod, you cannot come to Chennai after a hot boiling day
52:30and not come to get the sea breeze at the marina every evening.
52:34Yes, sir.
52:34And this is the music of all life.
52:36The waves that you see crashing, that is the actual music
52:39that keeps our heart beating.
52:40Ah, lovely.
52:41The waves are the heartbeat of Chennai here at Marina Beach.
52:46And since it's election season, guess what?
52:48We've got a bit of a treat that Pramod has organized.
52:51I'm told you are the political rappers of Chennai
52:54in this election season.
52:56Not easy.
52:57And I'm told you have got a special rap for us,
53:00which is anti-communalism.
53:01not easy.
53:40In elections on my plate, we've just not found two great rappers.
53:45We've also discovered a reporter who's a potential singer.
53:49And that's the great joy of being here in Chennai.
53:52Okay, one final stop.
53:54We've got to have some dinner, Chennai style.
53:58Let's go.
53:59Thank you very much again, guys.
54:01Thank you, sir.
54:09Okay, Pramod, all set.
54:12When you're by the sea, old jungle rule.
54:15Always have coastal food.
54:17We're by the marina beach, so we've decided to go to...
54:20Nammal Nedal.
54:22Nammal Nedal, which means our seaside.
54:25Ah, lovely.
54:26Coastal man, coastal jeans.
54:28I'm going to try some fish.
54:30On elections, on my plate.
54:33Remember, politics, always fishy business.
54:46Apurva, how are you?
54:48Good, sir.
54:48Vanakkam, welcome to Chennai.
54:50Good to see you.
54:51You've come from Vijaywada to your hometown of Chennai to cover the elections for India today.
54:55I want to know what's going to happen in the elections.
54:57Sir, it's going to be a tough fight.
54:59Everybody keeps saying that it's going to be a three-pronged elections, but DMK might just scrape through.
55:05Might just scrape through.
55:06You're putting your neck on the line when you say that, but three-cornered fight doesn't happen too often in
55:11Tamil Nadu, which makes it interesting.
55:13Pramod, you and I have been having a long day.
55:14Should I put you on the line?
55:15Who's going to win?
55:17You live here.
55:17You've got to tell us.
55:19My neck's already on the guillotine, sir.
55:20What's going to happen?
55:22Well, I have to say that, you know, it looks like one person is going to be a spoiled person
55:27over here and there's going to be a massive vote cut.
55:30There's going to be a massive vote cut.
55:32Okay, look, I'm not making predictions, but I will say this.
55:35There is a V factor.
55:36Forget X.
55:37A V factor that stands for Vijay.
55:39And the truth of the matter is, he could well end up in double-digit vote share.
55:44And once he does that, the big question is, whose vote is he cutting?
55:48You would expect conventionally that the better he does, he cuts the vote for change or the anti-incumbency vote
55:55and thereby damages AI DMK more than DMK.
55:58But in Tamil Nadu, conventional wisdom is often thrown out of the window.
56:02If Vijay's vote share starts converting into seats, then you could have a really fascinating situation and all kinds of
56:11post-pol permutations, given the fact that some of the allies of the DMK, like the Congress, may not quite
56:19be able to pull their weight.
56:20So, we're going to play safe in that sense, but I won't play safe with the food.
56:26I've ordered all the fish you want, we're by the sea at the marina and let's wait and I'm going
56:32to show you what I have on my plate for you.
56:46Okay, as you can see, all the fresh catch of the day.
56:49Maybe one day we need to do a show, where do you get the best fish?
56:52South coast, east coast or west coast?
56:55Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu.
56:58You know, when you're in Tamil Nadu, you have to deal with the Tamilians' pride in their fish as well,
57:04not just their language.
57:05We'll leave that battle for another day, remember, I'm a good going car, good man from the west coast, coastal
57:11jeans.
57:11But, I'm going to try this big mama and see if it can match what we get there.
57:18Hmm, Tamil Nadu getting close to Goa.
57:22Who wins? We leave it to the voters of Tamil Nadu and what happens on the 4th of May.
57:27For now, all I want to say is that it's been delightful to be here in Chennai and in and
57:33around it and just flavouring the sights and sounds of an election here.
57:38So, from the entire team, Pramod, Apoorwa, Vivek, Amit, Alok and Irfan.
57:45Thanks for watching and remember, politics can't match the fish.
57:54That's why we enjoy this show so much.
57:57And I want to say in true Tamil, Nandari Vanakkam.
58:02Nandari Vanakkam.
58:04Thanks for watching. Bye folks. Cheerio.
58:11Hmm, lovely. Politics is fishy business. Remember that, always.
58:18Please.
58:20lights.
58:47Foul I really want to make an eye to.
58:48Music plays.
Comments