In maiden public speech, TVK leader Vijay targets DMK, speaks out against NEET
Villupuram (Tamil Nadu), Oct 27: Forces dividing the country on religious lines and corrupt entities are his party's enemies, TVK leader and top Tamil actor Vijay said here on Sunday, and announced his party has been based on secular social justice ideologies with leaders like EVR Periyar and K Kamaraj as its guiding lights.
The latest entrant to Tamil Nadu politics, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam founder Vijay took an apparent dig at the DMK and its first family, saying its leaders were calling the "anti-people government as Dravida model government."
The Dravida model government is a reference to DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin's oft-repeated statement that such a model of governance was an inclusive one ensuring the well-being of all sections of Tamil society.
In his maiden public speech eight months after announcing the launch of TVK, Vijay said the late veterans MG Ramachandran and NT Ramarao where ridiculed as mere cinema actors when they made their political plunge "but they continue to remain in the hearts of the people" of the respective states, i.e Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
"Some here have been painting anyone entering politics with a particular colour, fooling people but they will be doing underground dealings, make noises during election and always talk about fascism. And create majority-minority fears among people who are united," he said, addressing the well-attended state public conference at Vikravandi in this district.
"You are calling an anti-people government as Dravida model rule and fooling people. Stop painting those opposing you with certain colours," he said.
TVK's principle is everyone is equal by birth. "Should i need to say who is opposed to this," he asked.
While the divisive forces could be identified and even reveal themselves, a corrupt entity was like a virus and elusive.
"It will enact a drama about ideology. Don the cloak of culture protector. It has no face, but only a mask. The mask is the face. The corrupt hypocrites are among us and are presently ruling us now," Vijay said.
TVK's one enemy was the divisive forces, while such corrupt hypocrites were the other.
"Those spoiling the country with divisive politics is TVK's primary ideological enemy. The next is a selfish family looting Tamil Nadu in the name of Dravida model (governance), using the names of Periyar and Anna; its our political enemy," Vijay added.
TVK will not see Dravidam and Tamil nationalism as different.
Explaining why he did not name anyone that he had criticised today, Vijay said, "I left their names out not out of fear, but we have not come here to name people and attack them using foul language."
"We want to take forward decent politics with people's support, a decent approach and attack for ideological and political enemies."
"Secular social justice ideologies will be our identity; democracy, equality, rational thinking, women's emancipation and a drugs-free Tamil Nadu (will be the focus). In our political journey, women will play a key role," he said.
Recalling his deceased sister, he said that just like her death had impacted him, the alleged suicide of medical aspirant, S Anitha from Ariyalur in the state who could not clear NEET, also had a profound impact on him.
He argued against the need for the medical entrance exam.
The 50-year-old actor-politician said he took the political plunge to serve the people and made the decision at the height of his career and sacrificing high remuneration. The "GOAT" actor is one of the highest paid actors of Tamil cinema said to be charging crores of rupees.
While he exuded confidence of ensuring maximum public support in the 2026 Assembly polls that could possibly take TVK to the ruling saddle, he would however welcome allies to join him and would also give them share in power, something Tamil Nadu is not known for.
Earlier, the party's principles and action plan were revealed by TVK functionaries in Vijay's presence. Its principle will be based on the Tirukkural "pirappokkum ella uyirkkum," that says everyone is equal by birth. The party said it will strive for an equitable society without any discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, sex.
It will oppose the "anti-people policies" of the state and Central governments.
Periyar, Kamaraj, BR Ambedkar, Queen Velu Nachiyaar and freedom fighter Anjalai Ammal would be the party's "ideological guiding lights," Vijay said.
Periyarist policies were not about atheism but others, including social justice and women's empowerment, for which he strove hard, Vijay said. The party would respect individual choices of faith.
The party also batted for proportional representation and wanted a caste census for that.
On the occasion, Vijay was gifted a sword and copies of the Constitution, Bhagawad Gita, Qoran and the Bible.
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Just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I'm able to play: MS Dhoni
New Delhi, Oct 27: Former India and Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has hinted at a potential return for IPL 2025, saying he wants to enjoy "whatever last few years of cricket" he can play, amid speculation regarding his availability for the upcoming season.
There has been speculation about Dhoni's future since he handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad in the last season and began batting lower in the order.
Franchises must submit their retained player lists by October 31 ahead of the mega auction. Dhoni could be retained by CSK as an uncapped player this year due to the reintroduction of a rule allowing players retired from international cricket for five years to be classified as uncapped.
"I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I'm able to play," a report in ESPNcricinfo quoted Dhoni as saying on Sunday at a promotional event held in Goa a couple of days ago.
"Like how during our childhood we used to go out and play at 4[pm], just enjoying the game. But when you play professional sport it becomes difficult to enjoy the game just like a game. So what I want to do is, there are emotions and commitments, but I want to enjoy the game for the next few years."
Last week, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan had also said that he is hopeful of Dhoni being part of the upcoming season.
Dhoni, who underwent left knee surgery in 2023, batted lower down the order during the 2024 IPL edition. The former India skipper explained that this decision was primarily to provide game-time to aspiring Indian players ahead of the T20 World Cup.
"My thinking was simple, if others are doing their job well why do I need to come up the order," Dhoni said.
"If you're talking about last year (season) specifically, the T20 World Cup squad was going to be announced soon. So we have to give people who are fighting for a spot a chance.
"In our team (CSK) we had a few, (Ravindra) Jadeja was there, Shivam Dube was there so you give them an opportunity to prove themselves to get into the Indian team. There was nothing in it for me, no selection and other things. So I'm good behind [playing down the order] and my team was happy with what I was doing."
"Love how teams are playing Test cricket now"
Dhoni has praised the result-oriented aggressive approach, often referred to as "Bazball," that teams are adopting in Test cricket these days.
"You can give cricket any term that you want to, what we have seen is cricket has evolved. The way people are playing cricket is very different. There was a time when in ODIs something was considered a safe score, now that score is not safe in T20s too," Dhoni said.
"You give something a term, it becomes much more interesting because you start talking about it, you start relating to it but at the end of the day what is it? It's a way to play cricket."
Having played 90 Tests for India, Dhoni reflected on the challenges of playing on the fifth day when a match appeared headed for a draw.
"For me, the most difficult time during a Test match was the fifth day of a match which is the last day when you knew that 100% it is going to be a draw," he said in the report.
"I would still need to keep for nearly 2.5 sessions and that was the most tiring part. You see there is no result happening, you are just going through the motions. Yes, bowlers would like to take wickets, batters will try to score runs, [but] there is no result in the game.
"You think let's finish this and go, why do I have to be here. So I love the fact there's change in the way teams are playing Test cricket."
Not a fan of draws, Dhoni emphasized the importance of having a result after five days of play.
"Imagine telling someone who doesn't know much cricket we play over five days and we start at 9.30 and 4.30 is the scheduled end of play, we play till 5[pm] sometimes, and after five days we don't get a result. That's not nice for the game. So I love how there's more results in today's world.
"Even if we are playing only four days of cricket and one day gets washed out, still you get a result - that's the beauty of Test cricket and that's how it should stay - you want to get a result after five days and you shouldn't have a draw."
