Vijayakanth – Former Actor and DMDK Founder Passes Away at 71

Vijayakanth – Former Actor and DMDK Founder Passes Away at 71

VoM News Desk | December 28, 2023 | 11:46 AM IST | Artism/Artist, Entertainment | Follow on Google News

Vijayakanth – Former Actor and DMDK Founder Passes Away at 71/NDTV

Vijayakanth – Former Actor and DMDK Founder Passes Away at 71

Vijayakanth, the iconic Tamil actor and founder-leader of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), breathed his last in Chennai at the age of 71 after battling illness.

The day began with reports from the party’s official handle stating his admission to the hospital due to breathing difficulties, eventually requiring ventilator support.

His body was later brought to his residence and is slated to be taken to the DMDK office shortly.

This incident follows Vijayakanth’s previous hospitalization in November at MIOT Hospital in Chennai, where he underwent a 14-day observation due to cough and throat pain.

Fondly known as ‘Captain’, Vijayakanth’s legacy spans a successful career in the Tamil film industry, featuring in 154 movies before his foray into politics.

Notably, while holding a position at the Nadigar Sangam, officially known as the South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA), he introduced significant changes to the South film industry.

In 2005, he founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam party, initially contesting in all assembly seats in 2006 but securing only 10% of the total vote share.

However, in alliance with the AIADMK in 2011, the party contested 41 constituencies, securing victory in 26, marking a pivotal moment in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape by becoming the principal Opposition Party.

During his tenure as the leader of the Opposition from 2011 to 2016, Vijayakanth’s party made significant strides.

However, subsequent differences led to the DMDK severing ties with the AIADMK, resulting in the party’s decline and loss of status as the primary Opposition.

Vijayakanth, a two-time Member of the Legislative Assembly representing Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam constituencies, led the DMDK’s involvement in various elections.

Yet, the party’s performance in subsequent polls saw setbacks attributed to Vijayakanth’s health concerns.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.