Vijay ‘consistently supported rights of Sri Lankan Tamils’

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and actor Vijay, in the second leg of his State-wide political tour, questioned Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s claims about attracting investments through his foreign visits, and asked whether the trips were “to bring investment to the State or to secure personal investments abroad.’’

Criticising the BJP and the DMK on issues concerning the fishing community in the State, Mr. Vijay said the BJP was engaged in “politics of exclusion,” pointing out that fishermen from other States were referred to as “Indian,” while those from Tamil Nadu were singled out as “Tamil fishermen.” He also charged that Mr. Stalin only writes letters on fishermen’s issues, but takes no concrete action.

Addressing a large gathering at the Puthur roundabout near the Anna Statue in Nagapattinam, Mr. Vijay also accused the Chief Minister of indirectly threatening him by imposing restrictions on his campaign and hampering it.

He said his political entry was not new, recalling that he had been voicing the concerns of fishermen since 2011 and had consistently supported the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils.