TVK leader Vijay kneels in prayer at Trichy Church, seeks minority votes ahead of April 23 Polls | VIDEO |

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Trichy: Actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay visited St. Anthony’s Church on Wireless Road in Trichy today and offered prayers while kneeling, a gesture being interpreted as an attempt to connect with minority voters in the Trichy East constituency. Christians constitute approximately 35 percent of the electorate in this constituency, and Vijay‘s decision to contest from here is widely seen as a strategic move to secure their support.

Vijay in Trichy East

With only three days remaining until the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, all political parties are engaged in intense campaigning. However, for the past four days, Vijay had refrained from any campaigning activities and remained at home resting. Following the release of the TVK’s election manifesto, he merely visited the election office in the Perambur constituency and drew a “whistle” kolam. Subsequently, he cancelled a planned door-to-door campaign in Perambur, abandoned a visit to Cuddalore, and called off a campaign stop in Dharmapuri citing lack of permission for his helicopter to land.

Vijay prayer at the Church

Against this backdrop, Vijay conducted a roadshow in the Trichy East constituency. He departed from Chennai early in the morning via a private aircraft and arrived at Trichy Airport. Following his arrival, he offered prayers at St. Anthony’s Church on Wireless Road within the Trichy East constituency. A video clip showing Vijay walking on his knees to offer prayers inside the church has been circulated on social media. Through this act, Vijay is perceived as once again highlighting his identity as a Christian.

Political context

Earlier today, Christian bishops met with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and pledged their full support to the DMK alliance. Notices urging support for the DMK alliance were also distributed within various churches. Against this backdrop, Vijay’s actions are being viewed as an attempt to secure the votes of the minority communities. Having already filed his nomination papers for Trichy East and campaigned there previously, this marks his second roadshow in the constituency. Whether this act by Vijay will yield results for the TVK will become clear only when the election results are announced on May 4.