TN political buzz: Is Dhanush AIADMK’s answer to Vijay?

As Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) consolidates its position ahead of future electoral battles, the AIADMK is openly exploring whether it needs star power in the form of actor Dhanush to stop further erosion of its base.

Fresh activity by Dhanush’s fan welfare associations in Coimbatore has only fuelled the speculation.

In the October 2026 Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly bypolls, triggered after the sitting AIADMK MLAs resigned and joined the ruling party, the AIADMK suffered sharp vote-share losses that largely shifted to Vijay’s party. In Madurantakam, AIADMK’s share fell from 34.95 per cent in the April 2026 Assembly election to 25.61 per cent (a drop of 9.34 fall), while TVK rose from 31.32 per cent to 39.96 per cent. In Dharapuram, the decline was steeper: AIADMK dropped from 40.56 per cent to 25.08 per cent (a 15.48-point drop), and TVK climbed from 23.23 per cent to 37.02 per cent.

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Observers noted that TVK’s gains came almost entirely at AIADMK’s expense, while the DMK’s vote share remained largely stable. AIADMK finished a distant third in both seats it had won only months earlier.

Actor’s political buzz

So is Dhanush moving to the AIADMK fold? AIADMK leader Rajendra Balaji, speaking on the possibility, stated, “AIADMK can strengthen itself through Dhanush. We will approach him, or if he approaches us, we will accept him. Everyone knows how many hit films Dhanush has delivered, and many have created an impact on people. He lives at the same Poes Garden where Amma lived. Our general secretary is open to accepting anyone who is hardworking and good. Dhanush is a leading actor. Today, among poor and ordinary people and the youth, the very name creates an impact.”

Balaji continued, “Whether the question being asked is true or a rumour, time will tell. Actors can enter politics. But once they enter politics, they should not act. MGR was an actor. Even as an actor, he was a politician. He rose through various positions, learned politics, helped the people, and served the poor and those with nothing. Those around today act in cinema and also in politics. People will not accept this. In the future, they will teach them a lesson.”

TVK dismisses Dhanush’s entry

TVK leader and state Finance Minister Maria Wilson, who described Dhanush as a long-time friend, said in response to the buzz, “Whether his decision is right or wrong will become clear in the coming days.” Recalling that even alliances formed for the 2026 Assembly elections failed to defeat TVK, Wilson argued that deploying a star actor for fresh calculations would not yield results. Pointing to the party’s experience in the 1991, 1996 and 1999 elections, he stressed, “The people are clear. Time has already answered. Vijay’s stand of corruption-free governance is sufficient.”

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Wilson further declared, “Dhanush coming into politics is good, but there is no chance of him becoming a competitor to our leader. Forever, the one and only Chief Minister is Vijay.”

He suggested that Dravidian parties might be trying to dent Vijay’s image by using Dhanush.

VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan dismissed the reports for now. “It is only speculation that Dhanush is coming into politics. At present there is nothing to comment on,” he said.

The Dhanush-Rajini math

Senior journalist Kottishwaran offered a different reading. “Dhanush will not enter politics easily; he will definitely receive Rajinikanth’s support. Even today Rajinikanth retains 7–10 per cent of the vote, and there is a chance that they will support Dhanush. He has not yet openly announced his entry into politics and Rajinikanth’s decision is also important. Dhanush has only now begun to figure in political discussions. It is not clear when he will understand the people’s problems and speak.”

Kodiswaran added, “Talk of Dhanush entering politics may also be aimed at generating political discussion. But if he really enters politics, starts a separate party, or joins some alliance, there is a chance of an impact on Vijay’s votes.”

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Political observer Dayalan Shanmugam noted the speed of organisational moves. “Dhanush is rapidly appointing district administrators constituency by constituency. He is showing speed. There is no chance of him backing out like Rajinikanth. I do not think Dhanush will get as much time as Vijay did. Vijay used the political vacuum that existed; Dhanush may not get that opportunity. Actors such as Sivakarthikeyan and Vijay Sethupathi are now showing political interest. Like Kamal Haasan, they have understood that an organisation is needed to face threats when cinema problems arise, and some actors are building structures simply to handle crises.”

Why does AIADMK need Dhanush?

On the strategic question of why AIADMK might need Dhanush, Shanmugam said, “Whoever comes as a crowd-puller, Edappadi Palaniswami will take them into the party because he himself cannot attract crowds. It is also said that the BJP is supporting him. If Dhanush, with a Hindutva-leaning political stance, is positioned against TVK, it might work on the ground; the BJP may think so. Even if Edappadi, Dhanush, Rajinikanth and the BJP form a combination, I will not be surprised. To prevent Vijay, who says ‘I am the modern MGR ’, Dhanush is needed.”

The speculation has been amplified by the recent election of new office-bearers of the Dhanush Fans Welfare Association in Kavundampalayam, Coimbatore, though the actor himself has made no formal announcement.

Analysts across the spectrum agree that any concrete move by Dhanush would reshape the competitive dynamics between AIADMK and TVK, particularly among younger and lower-income voters drawn to cinematic charisma.