Popular Tamil film actor Vijayakanth, known more for his fiery and punchy dialogues, is set to join politics at a conference near Madurai on September 14.
Unlike his contemporary, Rajinikanth, whose fans were disappointed when he entered politics, Vijayakanth informed his fans well in advance about his intention to join politics. He is formally launching his political party depending solely on the strength of his fans' associations, which he claims have 21 lakh members.
Vijayakanth's decision to enter politics comes when he is alleged to have received threats from some political circles. These alleged attacks have been made by regional parties Pattali Makkal Katchi and Dalit Panthers of India activists on his fans' associations and theatres showing the actor's films.
According to R Sundararajan, district vice-president of the fans' associations, "Our leader liked the way we took up the challenges posed by PMK functionaries when they set ablaze the associations' sheds and created problem in the theatres where the film of Vijayakanth was being shown in 2004."
Vijakanth regretted that PMK could not stand criticism against its leadership. At a public meeting in North Tamil Nadu, he incurred the wrath of its leader, Ramadoss, after criticising him for making his son Ambumani a union minister.