On Thursday, April 23, people in Tamil Nadu will vote to choose their new government. This election is different from usual ones. Instead of only party loyalty or strong political views, it has become more like a contest of popularity, especially with the entry of actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Across the state, voters can be seen in three main groups. The first group is made up of people who always support the same party. These are generational voters who do not change their choice easily.
The second group includes voters who carefully think before voting. They compare different parties and candidates and choose what they believe is the best option based on policies and performance.
The third group consists of voters who follow leaders or parties based on strong personal liking or belief, rather than clear reasons. Their decisions are often driven more by emotions than by detailed understanding.
These three types of voters can be found among supporters of the main political parties — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and TVK.
However, the third type of voters — those driven mainly by admiration for a leader — is said to be more common among supporters of Vijay’s TVK. This has made the election more interesting, as popularity is playing a bigger role alongside traditional political thinking.