DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth passed away in Chennai on Thursday. He was 71.
Actor-turned-politician and DMDK founder Vijayakanth.
Vijayakanth’s death
was confirmed by officials of Miot Hospital, where he was admitted for
pneumonia and was treated with ventilator support. Vijaykanth was on
ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best
efforts of medical staff. he passed away in the morning on 28th December 2023, the
hospital said in a release.
His party earlier
said in a statement that Vijayakanth had tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).
Vijayakanth has been ill and kept a low profile for the past 4-5 years. Visuals
from outside the hospital showed DMDK supporters and fans mourning the death of
the popular actor-leader.
“Extremely saddened
by the passing away of Thiru Vijayakanth Ji,” the prime minister said in a
social media post.
“A legend of the
Tamil film world, his charismatic performances captured the hearts of millions.
As a political leader, he was deeply committed to public service, leaving a
lasting impact on Tamil Nadu’s political landscape,” he added.
“His passing leaves
a void that will be hard to fill. He was a close friend and I fondly recall my
interactions with him over the years. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with
his family, fans, and numerous followers. Om Shanti.”
Fondly referred to
as "Captain" owing to his on-screen portrayal of military characters,
he established himself as a versatile actor with a successful career in cinema.
He was featured in 154 movies before venturing into politics.
Vijayakanth founded
the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in 2005 to provide an alternative political platform in Tamil Nadu, challenging the established
Dravidian parties like the DMK and AIADMK.
The DMDK made its
electoral debut in the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. The
party contested independently and managed to win a significant number of seats,
establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the state's political
landscape.
In the 2011 Tamil
Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the Captain's party scripted history,
winning more seats than the DMK in 2011, and emerged as the principal Opposition
Party that year.
Vijayakanth served
as the leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from 2011-2016.
The DMDK fought the
2014 Lok Sabha polls under the umbrella of the National Democratic Alliance
(NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but did not achieve significant
success.
The DMDK faced
internal challenges, including defections of key leaders, which impacted its
electoral performance in subsequent elections.
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