Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is slowly earning a new tag in political circles - Publicity CM.
If he eats food, there is a photo. If he speaks to officers, there is a video. If he goes home, there is a reel. Almost every small activity is being turned into publicity material.
Of course, Vijay came from cinema, where image building is very important. He knows the power of visuals, emotions and social media reach. But politics is not cinema. In films, one strong scene is enough to create impact. In politics, people look for results.
After becoming Chief Minister, Vijay’s team appears to be focusing heavily on social media projection. Every movement is being packaged and pushed as a message to the public.
His fans may enjoy it, but ordinary voters may slowly start asking a different question: where is the actual governance?
Tamil Nadu has serious issues like unemployment, price rise, urban problems, farmers’ concerns, education, health and infrastructure. People expect the new Chief Minister to focus more on these matters than on daily photo opportunities.
There is nothing wrong in communicating with the public. In today’s politics, social media is important. But when every action becomes a publicity event, it may create the impression that style is getting more importance than substance.
Vijay entered politics with huge expectations. Many young voters believed he would bring a new culture. But if his government continues to depend too much on videos, reels and photo publicity, critics will not miss the chance to attack him.
For now, Vijay’s image machinery is working at full speed. But in the long run, people will not judge him by photos and reels. They will judge him by decisions, welfare, development and delivery.
Cinema made Vijay a superstar. Governance will decide whether he becomes a strong Chief Minister or remains only a publicity Chief Minister.
Kiran Sharma
