Vijayakanth, Vadivelu mentioned his interest in competing against him in the next assembly elections and "teaching him a lesson." In response, Vijayakanth told a press meet on that Vadivelu's allegations are based on hearsay. During the legislative assembly elections in Tamil Nadu in 2011, Vadivelu vehemently campaigned for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its alliance. During his public speeches, he predominantly condemned Vijayakanth, whose party, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), allied with the opposition party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). In a campaign speech in Tiruvarur, Vadivelu stated that "(his) only aim is to sweep out Vijayakanth's whole team and to campaign vigorously for DMK's victory". Vadivelu was criticized as being biased, only supporting a DMK-led victory for personal gains and not once mentioning the then-official opposition, the AIADMK, or its leader, J. Jayalalitha. In a turn of events, the election was eventually successful for the AIADMK alliance, while Vijayakanth was victorious by a significant margin in his own constituency. While speaking at an election campaign meeting in 2016, he criticized Rajinikanth, causing a considerable backlash from supporters of Rajinikanth. He has been criticized for making obscene gestures in public, often towards journalists. References Further reading External links Male actors in Tamil cinema 1952 births Tamil Nadu politicians Tamil people Living people Indian actor-politicians Tamil Nadu MLAs 2006–2011 Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam politicians Male actors from Madurai Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners Filmfare Awards South winners Indian political party founders Leaders of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu 21st-century Indian politicians 21st-century Indian male actors 20th-century Indian male actors Tamil male actors Tamil Nadu MLAs 2011–2016