It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Captain Vijayakanth, a beloved actor-turned-politician, who breathed his last on the morning of December 28, 2023. The confirmation came from officials at Miot Hospital, where he had been admitted for pneumonia and was under ventilator support.
The hospital released a statement, stating, "Captain Vijaykanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he passed away in the morning on 28th December 2023."
Earlier, his political party revealed that Vijayakanth had tested positive for coronavirus, even before the results of the second round of samples were available, according to hospital sources.
Captain Vijayakanth, fondly known as "Captain" due to his iconic on-screen military roles, had been a prominent figure in Tamil cinema with a successful career spanning 154 movies before he entered politics. He founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in 2005, aiming to provide an alternative political platform in Tamil Nadu, challenging established parties like the DMK and AIADMK.
His wife, Premalatha, formally took over as the general secretary of DMDK on December 14, marking a transition as Vijayakanth had kept a low profile for the past 4-5 years due to his health issues.
The DMDK made a significant impact in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, winning a considerable number of seats in its electoral debut in the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. In 2011, the party made history by winning more seats than the DMK and emerged as the principal opposition party, with Vijayakanth serving as the leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from 2011-2016.
Despite facing internal challenges, including defections of key leaders, the DMDK struggled to maintain its electoral success in subsequent polls, including the 2014 Lok Sabha elections under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The passing of Captain Vijayakanth marks the end of an era in Tamil Nadu politics, leaving behind a legacy of a versatile actor and a formidable political force. The people of Tamil Nadu join together in mourning the loss of a leader who played a crucial role in shaping the state's political landscape.
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