DMDK Chief Vijayakanth Passes: Covid-19 Complications

 Actor and political leader Captain Vijayakanth's demise leaves a void; condolences pour in from Prime Minister Modi.

Vijayakanth's Passing: Covid Tragedy

On Thursday, the nation mourned the loss of veteran actor and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) chief Vijayakanth, aged 71. His passing at a private hospital in Chennai follows a battle with health issues, marked by a recent bout of pneumonia and testing positive for Covid-19.

Contradictory statements surround his health, as the party cites Covid-19, while the hospital attributes his ventilator support to pneumonia. The official statement from the hospital mentioned, "Captain Vijayakanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced the leader's state funeral, recognizing Vijayakanth's impact on the political landscape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief on social media, remembering the charismatic actor and dedicated political figure.

PM Modi's heartfelt tribute acknowledged Vijayakanth's influence on Tamil Nadu's politics and highlighted his deep commitment to public service. Modi recalled their close friendship and the void left by the iconic figure's demise.

Vijayakanth, renowned for his 154 movies in the Tamil film industry, transitioned to politics with the founding of DMDK. His political journey saw him serve as an MLA, representing constituencies like Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam. The peak of his political career was marked by leading the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 2011 to 2016.

As Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramaniam reached the residence, DMDK supporters gathered, mourning their leader's passing. Vijayakanth's contribution to both cinema and politics resonates in the collective memory, marking the end of an era.

In Memoriam: Tamil Nadu Mourns the Loss of Captain Vijayakanth

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Captain Vijayakanth, a beloved actor-turned-politician, who breathed his last on the morning of December 28, 2023. The confirmation came from officials at Miot Hospital, where he had been admitted for pneumonia and was under ventilator support.

Captain Vijayakanth: Tamil Nadu Mourns

The hospital released a statement, stating, "Captain Vijaykanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he passed away in the morning on 28th December 2023."

Earlier, his political party revealed that Vijayakanth had tested positive for coronavirus, even before the results of the second round of samples were available, according to hospital sources.

Captain Vijayakanth, fondly known as "Captain" due to his iconic on-screen military roles, had been a prominent figure in Tamil cinema with a successful career spanning 154 movies before he entered politics. He founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in 2005, aiming to provide an alternative political platform in Tamil Nadu, challenging established parties like the DMK and AIADMK.

His wife, Premalatha, formally took over as the general secretary of DMDK on December 14, marking a transition as Vijayakanth had kept a low profile for the past 4-5 years due to his health issues.

The DMDK made a significant impact in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, winning a considerable number of seats in its electoral debut in the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. In 2011, the party made history by winning more seats than the DMK and emerged as the principal opposition party, with Vijayakanth serving as the leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from 2011-2016.

Despite facing internal challenges, including defections of key leaders, the DMDK struggled to maintain its electoral success in subsequent polls, including the 2014 Lok Sabha elections under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The passing of Captain Vijayakanth marks the end of an era in Tamil Nadu politics, leaving behind a legacy of a versatile actor and a formidable political force. The people of Tamil Nadu join together in mourning the loss of a leader who played a crucial role in shaping the state's political landscape.