ERODE: Actor Vijay’s TVK might secure around 15% of vote share in the April 23 Tamil Nadu assembly election, and this would hurt the AIADMK-led alliance and improve the DMK alliance’s prospects, MDMK principal secretary and Trichy MP Durai Vaiko said on Wednesday. Campaigning for MDMK candidate Senthil Nathan in Modakkurichi assembly constituency in Erode district, Durai told reporters that Vijay was a major star with the strong support of the youth, similar to actors like Suriya and Ajith. “However, it remained uncertain whether that popularity would fully turn into votes,” he said. “If Vijay manages to win 15% of the vote share in his first election, it will be a significant achievement for a newly launched political party,” he said, adding that it was not clear if that level of support would be enough to win seats. Durai Vaiko accused the Election Commission of functioning impartially and alleged that it was placing pressure on the Secular Progressive Alliance and obstructing the electoral process. “The DMK alliance would not be intimidated even if central agencies such as the income tax department exert pressure during the election period,” he stated.
