Vijay, now an actor-turned-politician, further turning out to be Chief Minister, is being hailed by many as the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT).
There are several reasons behind this claim.
In fact, many argue that Vijay is the only politician after N T Rama Rao to rise to the level of becoming Chief Minister right from his political debut with his own party.
While this comparison holds true chronologically, one could argue that Vijay’s achievement surpasses that of NTR in certain respects.
During NTR’s time, he had significant structural advantages. He enjoyed strong backing from his own affluent community people, which provided substantial financial support.
Influential political figures like Nadendla Bhaskara Rao and Nallapureddy Srinivasa Reddy were behind him. There was also widespread public frustration with the Congress party, which at the time lacked a charismatic and powerful leader.
Additionally, many leaders from Congress and Communist parties supported his rise by joining his party. Crucially, he had strong media backing through Ramoji Rao and his newspaper Eenadu. With all these factors combined, along with his own charisma and mass appeal, NTR rose to power.
In contrast, Vijay had none of these advantages. He lacked strong community-based financial backing and struggled significantly to field candidates across all constituencies.
No experienced politicians from major parties joined him. Instead, he gave opportunities to many first-time candidates, including individuals from middle-class and lower-middle-class backgrounds like drivers and other blue color workers, many of whom had little political visibility.
Unlike major parties such as DMK and AIADMK, Vijay had no dedicated media support. He also lacked the financial resources typically used in election campaigns.
He literally distributed zero amount to the voters. Despite these odds, he managed to emerge victorious, relying largely on his personal appeal and public connection.
Beyond political challenges, Vijay also faced personal and professional difficulties. Reports of family conflicts with wife and son, controversies surrounding his alleged relationship with Trisha Krishnan, and issues with film releases added to his struggles.
One of his films "Jana Nayagan" faced hurdles with the CBFC, was delayed, and even leaked online, an incident some viewed as politically motivated.
Additionally, he faced legal troubles related to a stampede at a political gathering at Karur, forcing him to navigate court proceedings and police inquiries. All this while competing against strong opponents like the DMK.
Despite these numerous obstacles, Vijay gained public support and rising to the position of Chief Minister. From this perspective, his journey appears even more challenging and, to some, more remarkable than that of NTR.
That is why many consider him the true “GOAT” of Indian politics.
