Vijay Targets Fisherfolk Vote with MSP Promise in Tamil Nadu
TVK manifesto pitches livelihood security as actor-politician sharpens coastal outreach
- Vijay promises MSP for fish in TVK manifesto
- Targets over 10 lakh fisherfolk across coastal districts
- Focus on minority-heavy coastal constituencies
- BJP-AIADMK alliance also intensifies outreach
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 17th April: Actor-turned-politician Vijay has sharpened his election campaign in Tamil Nadu with a focused outreach to the state’s influential fisherfolk community, placing them at the centre of his party’s welfare agenda.
The manifesto of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), makes a politically significant promise of introducing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for fish — a first-of-its-kind proposal aimed at protecting fishermen from fluctuating market prices.
The proposed MSP will cover key fish varieties such as prawn, sardine, anchovy and mackerel. The party has assured that compensation for price drops will be directly credited to fishermen’s bank accounts.
Beyond MSP, the manifesto also promises accident insurance, a fishermen protection rights fund and major coastal infrastructure projects, including sea erosion barriers stretching up to 200 km in vulnerable districts.
Fisherfolk, numbering over 10.48 lakh across 14 coastal districts, form a decisive voting bloc in several constituencies. A large section, especially in Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Thoothukudi, belongs to Christian communities, making them electorally influential.
Vijay has so far campaigned in six districts, many of them coastal, including Ramanathapuram, indicating a targeted strategy to consolidate this voter base. The party has also fielded candidates from the fisherfolk community in key seats.
Vijay’s outreach to fishermen dates back to 2011, when he led protests following the killing of a Tamil fisherman allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy.
However, the political space remains competitive. The BJP, in alliance with the AIADMK, is also actively engaging with fisherfolk voters, particularly in Kanyakumari.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a roadshow in Nagercoil to boost NDA candidates, highlighting the high stakes in coastal constituencies.
While fisherfolk may not dominate numerically everywhere, their consolidated voting behaviour often influences electoral outcomes.
With campaigning gaining momentum, Vijay’s coastal push centred on livelihood security and identity politics could play a decisive role in the upcoming elections.
