On April 21, as election campaigns came to an end, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay had appealed to children. He pleaded with them to throw tantrums just the way they would when asking for chocolates. To persuade and be adamant that their parents, grandparents, and akkas and annas voted for him and make “Vijay mama successful”. Today, the success of Mr. Vijay and the TVK is most spoken about. In the wake of Mr. Vijay’s electoral victory in the State, did the children really make an impact?

For B. Merwin, 12, from Pattinampakkam, Mr. Vijay means the world. “I love his fights. He also really helps people. Like on Instagram? He has helped lots of old people. But he will also fight like in the movies,” he said. A day after election results, Merwin is strolling around his apartment compound walls blowing the TVK whistle. “I danced with the others and enjoyed myself when I saw Vijay anna winning. So happy that my parents voted for him,” he said.