Actor and politician Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, publicly backed farmers protesting the planned airport near Chennai. This new airport, set for construction in Parandur, has caused local farmers to worry about losing their land. Vijay made his support clear on Monday, also suggesting the ruling DMK party is gaining from the project. He feels the public is becoming aware of the reasons behind this development.
Furthermore, Vijay accused the DMK party of being inconsistent in their stance on projects that displace people. He mentioned that when the DMK was the opposition party between 2016 and 2021, they strongly opposed projects like the eight-lane expressway. This is why he finds it hypocritical that they are not opposing the Parandur airport, which he says will have the same negative impact of displacing local communities. Therefore, he believes the DMK’s actions depend on whether they are in power.
Farmers in the Parandur region have been protesting the airport development because they believe it will ruin their farms and their ways of life. Vijay made a statement saying, “People understand who is benefiting from this project.” This emphasizes his belief that the public knows the real motives behind the airport. Vijay is clearly trying to show he stands with the farmers, positioning himself as someone who will fight for their rights.
Vijay’s backing of the farmer’s protest carries significant weight, which could intensify political debate. His criticism of the DMK could make the situation even more contentious. This issue highlights the constant battle between development plans and the rights of the people who live in these affected areas. Land acquisition for big projects in Tamil Nadu has often led to strong resistance.