CHENNAI: Congress leadership's pointsman in Tamil Nadu has thrown his weight behind actor-politician Vijay amidst a controversy over the certification of his film ‘Jana Nayagan,’ even as speculation is rife about a potential electoral alliance with his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
While the film's release has been postponed following a delay in obtaining a censor certificate, Girish Chodankar, the Congress party’s in-charge for Tamil Nadu, issued a statement condemning what he termed "political interference" in creative processes.
Chodankar argued that while political debate is democratic, targeting an artist and obstructing their work is unacceptable.
He alleged that ‘Jana Nayagan’ was facing deliberate delays due to political pressure on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), calling the situation "unfair and undemocratic." He warned that the people of Tamil Nadu would not tolerate the alleged misuse of the censor board for political gains.
In a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chodankar said Modi should “display his 56-inch chest” against Vijay the politician, not Vijay the actor.
This public support is viewed as significant within the broader political context. It follows earlier interactions between senior Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty and Vijay, which reportedly included discussions on a potential alliance ahead of the coming Assembly elections.
Chodankar himself had previously asserted the Congress's right to demand a greater share of power from its current ally, the DMK.
Notably, the DMK has not yet commenced formal seat-sharing talks with the Congress, adding a layer of political tension to Chodankar's vocal stance on an issue involving a potential new alliance partner.