A day after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) general secretary Aadhav Arjuna hinted that party chief and actor Vijay could contest from a North Madras constituency in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, anticipation is building across the industrial belt of North Chennai that one of its seats could soon turn into a political "star" constituency.

In Thiruvottiyur, a working-class hub in North Chennai, Shanthi, a flower seller, is upbeat at the prospect of Vijay making his electoral debut from her constituency. 

A beneficiary of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)'s monthly Rs 1,000 assistance scheme, she says welfare alone will not decide her vote.

"Vijay would receive two of our family's five votes. Since the DMK gives us thousands of rupees every month, we would also vote for them. "We ought to be equitable," she said to NDTV.
"We have to give him a chance," she stated in response to worries over Vijay's lack of experience. After seizing control, he would rapidly accumulate experience.
Mary, a vegetable trader nearby, is more forceful. Even the recent Rs 5,000 cash transfer and free bus rides haven't convinced her. "With the money they provide us, we are not at rest. They ought to provide us with accommodation if they wish to help us. That's sufficient. "Vijay has our family's three votes," she declared.

Longtime All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supporter Parasuram, a 75-year-old cart puller deep in the neighborhood, has some advise for the politician-actor. "Vijay and the AIADMK ought to collaborate. "If not this time, he can become the Chief Minister next time," he added, adding that it would give him a high.
Despite its many industries, North Chennai still lags behind South Chennai's IT-driven prosperity. According to TVK leaders, Vijay will make the area "like Singapore." However, the DMK has long held sway in the region, winning four of the last five elections.
Young voters seem to be split. Street seller Raju is still a DMK supporter. "Here DMK helps us well and we all feel it would be nice if they win," he stated.

The DMK's stronghold has historically been Chennai. For example, the DMK has won five of the last six elections in Thirivottiyur. Given that TVK is floating potential seats from Velachery to Virugambakkam and now North Chennai, indicating a probable high-stakes battle in the capital, the issue now is whether Vijay's star power and cult following can break through the Dravidian bastion.