CHENNAI: Is Prashant Kishor TVK president Vijay’s friend, advisor or strategist? Going by the special guest’s brief speech at an event to mark the start of TVK’s second year, he could well play all three roles.
Four years after quitting as political strategist, Jan Suraaj Party founder, Prashant Kishor, on Wednesday announced his support for Vijay’s TVK and help it win in the 2026 assembly election.
“I am not here to help my brother, my friend, Vijay. Because he doesn’t need that help. He is a new hope for Tamil Nadu and that is why I am here,” Kishor said.
Taking a dig at dynasty politics, Kishor wondered whether India would have produced cricket stars like Sachin Tendulkar, M S Dhoni, or Virat Kohli if only sons of famous cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev played the sport. Kishor expressed his desire to surpass Dhoni’s popularity in Tamil Nadu, attributing the cricketer’s fame to his leadership of the Chennai Super Kings.
“I have to become the most popular Bihari in Tamil Nadu. So, I have to compete with Dhoni who makes CSK win. I will make TVK under your leader win. That is why I am here,” he said amid loud applause.
Kishor, who had earlier worked as poll strategist with DMK for the 2021 assembly election, described TVK not as a political party but as a movement representing the desire for change among millions of people.
“Enough of what you have been seeing in the last 30, 35 years. It is time for change. And TVK under the leadership of Vijay reflects, represents the change, the hope,” said Kishor, who is “special advisor” to TVK since his meeting with Vijay last month.
Kishor highlighted his shared values and goals with Vijay, particularly the desire to bring about positive change in people’s lives, a change rooted in dignity, equality, and opportunity. “And that is why I am here to help him in whatever little I can,” he said, expressing confidence in TVK’s future success and promised to deliver a thank-you address in Tamil after the 2026 election. Kishor urged TVK members to strengthen the party significantly within the next three months.