As counting trends start to take shape in Tamil Nadu, an old political remark is making the rounds on social media. The statement made months ago by political strategist Prashant Kishor about actor-turned-politician Vijay is now being widely circulated, with many pointing out how closely it aligns with the current trajectory of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Not long ago, the idea of TVK emerging as a dominant force in Tamil Nadu politics was met with resistance. When the Axis My India poll predicted that the party could get between 98 and 120 seats, the prediction sparked ridicule among many people.
As trends now point to TVK leading in more than 100 of the 234 constituencies, these early dismissals are being reconsidered.
The prediction that remained
Interestingly, this is not the first time such confidence has been expressed in TVK’s prospects. More than a year before the elections, during a television interview, Prashant Kishor expressed a similar view about Vijay’s political chances.
Speaking to Thanthi TV in March last year, Kishor was asked about the future of the party and whether alliances might shape its course. His response was unequivocal.
“The commitment is to go it alone, for sure,” he said. “I don’t see that changing. Save this video, and play it when the results come in.”
‘Good chance to win Tamil Nadu’
Kishore did not stop at the point of widespread optimism. When pressed to clarify what he meant by “good chance,” he asserted more clearly: “Good chance to win Tamil Nadu.”
The interviewer went further, asking whether that confidence extends to achieving the majority mark of 118 seats required to form the government in the state. Kishore’s response left little room for ambiguity.
This clip is now being widely circulated across social media platforms, with TVK’s performance seeming to reflect the confidence Kishore expressed at the time. With the party leading in a large number of seats, far ahead of established players like the DMK and AIADMK alliances, this prediction is viewed by many as strikingly far-fetched.
