Vijayakanth, the founder and leader of the DMDK, passed away in Chennai at the age of 71. Miot Hospital officials confirmed his death, stating that he had been admitted for pneumonia and was under ventilator support.
“Captain Vijaykanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite best efforts of the medical staff, he passed away in the morning on December 28, 2023,” the hospital stated in a release. Earlier, his party had announced that he tested positive for coronavirus, even before the results of the second round of samples were available.
Having faced health issues and maintained a low profile for the past 4-5 years, Vijayakanth’s wife, Premalatha, officially took over the leadership of the DMDK on December 14, being declared the general secretary at a party meeting in Chennai.
Visuals from outside the hospital depicted DMDK supporters and Vijayakant’s fans mourning the loss of the beloved actor-leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, remembering Vijayakanth as a legend in the Tamil film world and praising his commitment to public service in the political arena. Video Source (The Indian Express: Youtube)
Fondly known as “Captain” for his on-screen military portrayals, Vijayakanth had a successful career in cinema, featuring in 154 movies before entering politics. He founded the DMDK in 2005, aiming to provide an alternative political platform in Tamil Nadu, challenging established parties like the DMK and AIADMK.
The DMDK made its electoral debut in the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, winning a notable number of seats independently. In the 2011 elections, the party became the principal Opposition, and Vijayakanth served as the leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from 2011 to 2016.
Despite facing internal challenges and defections of key leaders, the DMDK, under Vijayakanth’s leadership, made significant strides in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, leaving a lasting impact.
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