Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder-leader Vijayakanth passed away in Chennai on Thursday at the age of 71. Vijayakanth was reportedly on ventilator support after testing positive for Covid-19.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced DMDK chief Captain Vijayakanth would be laid to rest with State Honours.
A popular yesteryear Tamil actor, Vijayakanth has acted in 154 movies and was considered one of the most adored film personalities in the Tamil industry.
Vijayakanth founded the DMDK in 2005 and served as a Member of Legislative Assembly twice, representing the constituencies of Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam. The peak of Vijayakanth's political career was when he became the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 2011 to 2016.
MIOT International Hospital in Chennai, where Vijayakanth was admitted, said in a press release: "Captain Vijayakanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff he passed away in the morning on 28th December 2023."
Owing to Vijayakanth's health issues, his wife Premalatha took over the reins of the party on December 14.
Shortly after the news of Vijayakanth's demise broke, his supporters began gathering outside his residence and at the Chennai hospital, with some people even seen crying. Vijayakanth's supporters were seen getting their heads tonsured in Madurai to pay their tributes.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin, Health Minister Ma Subramaniam were also seen at the residence of DMDK chief Captain Vijayakanth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to microblogging platform X and offered condolences to Vijayakanth's family and supporters. "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. 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," PM Modi wrote on X.
Who is Vijayakanth
Born in Tamil Nadu's Madurai on 25 August 1952, DMDK founder-leader was a popular yesteryear Tamil actor who has acted in 154 films. Vijayakanth is said to have sown seeds of hope among his fans, admirers and the people on the possibility of a real alternative to the Dravidian majors, the DMK and AIADMK.
As mentioned above, Vijayakanth founded the DMDK in 2005 and served as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) twice, from Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam contituencies. The peak of Vijayakanth's political career was when he became the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 2011 to 2016.
Vijayakanth was known for his generosity and was praised as 'Karuppu MGR' (black MGR) by his fans.
Vijayakanth allied with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the 2011 Assembly elections and the Jayalalithaa-led bloc won the polls, while the DMDK founder went on to become the Leader of the Opposition.
Vijayakanth's verbal duel with Jayalalithaa in the Assembly after the 2011 polls took the state by storm and he appeared all set to take on the powers-that-be and break down the hegemony of the Dravidian parties.
While the party statement had said that Vijayakanth had tested positive for Covid and was under ventilator, the hospital bulletin said he battled pneumonia. According to news agency PTI, hospital sources said the party issued that statement even before the results for the second round of samples were available.
(with PTI inputs)
