‘Captain’ Vijayakanth’s son makes his debut, ADMK support behind DMDK scion

The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), which is contesting the coming Lok Sabha polls as an ally of the AIADMK, has come out with its list of candidates. And topping it is V Vijaya Prabhakar, the son of the late matinee idol and party founder, ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth.

Prabhakar, who has been involved with DMDK activities but is making his electoral debut, will contest from Virudhunagar. It is set to emerge as one of the hot seats of the elections given that the BJP has fielded actor Radikaa Sarathkumar from here. The Congress, which is contesting the seat as part of the DMK alliance, is yet to announce its candidate.

Since several years now, as Vijayakanth battled health issues, DMDK general secretary and Vijayakanth’s wife Premalatha has been talking to the media about Prabhakar’s interest in politics, his “passion” for it and his “commitment” to campaigning across constituencies.

In March 2021, in an interview to The Indian Express, she said: “He has a lot of plans for the development of Tamil Nadu and the welfare of the people. He was upset when we quit the AIADMK alliance (in 2021, over seat differences in Assembly elections).”

Apart from Prabhakar, the other four names in the DMDK list are seasoned politicians, including former MLA P Parthasarathy from Central Chennai, K Nallathambi from Tiruvallur (SC), P Sivakolunthu from Cuddalore, and P Sivanesan for Thanjavur.

Both the DMK and BJP have fielded candidates here, making it a three-corner contest in these seats.

The AIADMK, which is leading the alliance that includes the DMDK, Social Democratic Party of India and Puthiya Thamizhagam, and contesting in 32 out of the state’s 39 seats, released its manifesto Friday, promising a number of welfare measures, including Rs