DMDKs Vijayakanth passes away: Earlier in the day, the party posted on its official X feed, informing followers that Vijayakanth had complained of respiratory difficulties, leading to his hospital admission and placement on a ventilator.



Chennai: After a long illness, DMDK founder-leader and well-known Tamil actor from the past Vijayakanth passed away in Chennai on Thursday. His age was seventy-one. 
Vijayakanth complained of respiratory difficulties, therefore the party posted earlier in the day on its official X account to let people know that he had been admitted to the hospital and was on a ventilator.

His body was delivered to his home and will soon be transported to the DMDK office.

Due to a decline in his health, Vijayakanth was hospitalised to MIOT Hospital in Chennai earlier in November.

For fourteen days, he was observed by physicians due to a cough and sore throat.

Vijayakanth, popularly known as "Captain," has had a prosperous career in the Tamil cinema business.

Prior to entering politics, he appeared in 154 motion pictures.

During his tenure at Nadigar Sangam, formerly the South Indian Artistes' Association (SIAA), Vijayakanth revolutionised the South Indian cinema business.

In 2005, he established Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazgam.

DMDK ran for every assembly seat in 2006, but all it received was a meagre 10% of the vote. Except for the founding leader, none of the party's contenders became victorious.

Along with the AIADMK, the DMDK ran for office in 2011 and won 26 of the 41 seats it sought.

By gaining more seats than the DMK in 2011 and taking the lead as the main opposition party, the Captain's party wrote history.

From 2011 until 2016, Vijayakanth led the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Later, the DMDK severed its links with the AIADMK due to disagreements, which led to the resignation of a large number of DMDK MLAs.

As a result, the party was no longer considered the primary opposition party.

Twice, he represented the seats of Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam as a member of the Legislative Assembly.

In coalition with the NDA, the DMDK ran for parliament in 2014, but it was soundly defeated and witnessed a sharp decline in its share of the vote.


Due to Vijayakanth's health issues, the DMDK did not fare well in the elections of 2016, 2019, or 2021.