Actor Vijay’s passionate appeal appears to have won the admiration of Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin
Posted Date – 07:40 AM, Sun – 6/18/23
Chennai: Popular Tamil film actor Vijay, amid speculation that he may contest elections for the first time, on Saturday urged students to ask their parents to vote in elections without taking bribes and to witness the transformation firsthand.
His fervent appeal appears to have won the admiration of Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu’s youth welfare and sports development minister.
“He said good things. What’s wrong with you?” Udhayanidhi shot back when reporters asked him his reaction to Vijay’s appeal.
Asked about the actor entering politics for the first time, the minister said anyone has the right to enter the political arena.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chairman Thol Thirumavalavan, an ally of the ruling Democratic Party, welcomed the actor’s request that students acquire knowledge about the social reformer.
Congratulating the National Class 10 and Class 12 entrants at an event in Neelangarai here, Vijay said: “Ask your parents to vote during elections without taking bribes. Try it, you might succeed and see a change. Soon-to-be first-time voters should be aware of the benefits of not accepting cash ballots to elect leaders. “When that happens, your education is complete,” he said.
Vijay admonished them to “don’t poke your own eyes” because he accepted the money for the ballot.
“Consider a politician who offers 1,000 rupees to voters in a constituency of 150,000 voters. How much bribe must he have given – almost 150 million? If a person bribes 150 million rupees, think how much he earned before that Money. I want all of this to be part of your education system,” the popular actor said, to warm applause from the assembled students.
Also, he admonished the youth not to stop with book knowledge but to go beyond it and know all the leaders including BR Ambedkar, EVR Periyar, K Kamaraj and instill their merits.
“I have a small request to make. Be sure to spend time with those (students) who failed the exam. Tell them it was easy to pass and encourage them,” he said.
“Also never make a bad decision, make a bold decision. As you rise in life, process the freedom you gain through self-discipline, have fun in life, but don’t give up your identity. Our lives are in the hands of in your own hands,” suggested Vijay.
Unlike Billboard, the actor mentioned that he was never a bright student. “I’m not a bright student like you, just an average passing student. My journey has been towards the cinema… Remember, an education is not complete until you value your own character and thinking skills,” he added road.
Earlier, Vijay presented a diamond necklace to S Nandini of Dindigul district who scored a perfect 600/600 in TN Class 12 board exam. She is the daughter of carpenters Saravana Kumar and Banu Priya.
The actor’s fan association – Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam – transformed into a welfare organization took part in the state’s 2021 referendum and won 115 of the 169 seats it contested.
