CHENNAI: Escalating its attack, DMDK's choice to align with the State ruling party, the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit, on Thursday invoked the legacy of its founder Vijayakant, asserting that the actor-turned-politician would never have forgiven his party for joining hands with the DMK, which he had opposed throughout his political life.
In a social media post, the BJP said Vijayakant had devoted his entire life to serving the people by opposing the evil force DMK. The saffron party alleged that the DMK had subjected both 'Captain' Vijayakant and the DMDK to humiliation and harassment, in an apparent reference also to the partial demotion of the party office in Koyambedu for a flyover construction.
"Captain Vijayakant and the party he founded received only cruelty and insults from the DMK. The soul of Captain will never forgive this alliance with a people-opposing DMK," the BJP said.
Sharing an old video of Vijayakant, the party added: "Till his last breath, Captain Vijayakant opposed the DMK–Congress combine. But today, the party he created has joined hands with that very force."
The BJP further asked, "Can the cruelty with which the DMK mocked Captain Vijayakant ever be forgotten?"
"I warmly welcome sister Premalatha Vijayakanth, who is now skillfully leading the party founded by Captain, along with their party supporters. Let this bond of goodwill continue to contribute to the progress and prosperity of Tamil Nadu," he said, sharing images of the DMDK leaders joining the DMK-led alliance.
He emphasised the objective of ensuring the continuation of the "Dravidian model governance," of inclusive growth.
To a query, Premalatha said, "a seat-sharing committee will be formed soon by both the parties. They will decide on the seats to contest and the constituencies will be formally announced by brother Stalin."
She added that the alliance was formed after consultation with the party functionaries. "All our party cadres supported this (alliance). This time, they felt that we must align with the DMK. That is their decision, and it is my decision as well. That is the primary reason we are joining hands with the DMK."
"You all know that the DMDK was founded in 2006 by actor Vijaykanth and he(Vijaykanth) alone earned a vote share of 8.33 per cent," she recalled.
In 2021 assembly polls, DMDK partnered with TTV Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party was part of the AIADMK-led alliance.
Currently, the DMK-led alliance comprises the Congress, CPI, CPI (M), VCK, Vaiko-led MDMK, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) and Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi.
Meanwhile, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko hailed the development as "sweet news".
"We happily welcome them. The Secular Progressive Alliance gets strengthened with this alliance. Victory for the DMK-led alliance has been confirmed with this," the MDMK founder told reporters in Madurai.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Leader Thol Thirumavalavan took to social media to welcome the new entrant and said DMDK's inclusion would pave the way for a "resounding victory" in the assembly elections.
The BJP Tamil Nadu unit reacted sharply and criticised the move as a "betrayal" of the DMDK founder's legacy.
The movement created by Captain joining the anti-people DMK, will "never be forgiven by the Captain's Soul," it said on its social media handle.
"Captain Vijayakanth has been fighting against the evil force DMK. The DMK has been humiliating Captain Vijaykanth...," the official social media account of BJP Tamil Nadu unit said.
Speaking to reporters in Vellore, BJP Leader Tamilisai Sounderrajan said, "As far as I am concerned, they (DMDK) have boarded a sinking ship. Invoking the legacy of Captain, they have forced their cadres to act as captains of a vessel that is already going down."
