Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Ranjana Nachiyaar, who served as the Tamil Nadu Art and Cultural Wing State Secretary, joined superstar Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Wednesday, after she resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday over the ongoing language row. 

As she embarks on a new political chapter with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Nachiyaar shared her vision for the future. “My journey does not end here. I will continue my work with clarity and determination, embracing the path ahead. The struggles I have faced will shape the victories of tomorrow. Now, I embark on a new path in service of the people—a journey beyond party lines, a journey of awakening, a journey toward success in the future.”

"Thalapathy Vijay is the only person who can talk easily to people like me who want to stand for Tamil, Tamil Nadu, Dravidam and all these policies," she added.

In a social media post, Nachiyaar criticised the BJP for using nationalism and religion for political gains while failing to respect Tamil identity.

“For the past eight years, I have been actively involved in various roles within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Your beloved Ranjana Nachiyaar is now bidding farewell,” she announced on X.

She further expressed her disillusionment with the party’s approach, stating, “When people think of BJP, they often consider it a nationalist party, a party that upholds the nation’s interests, or a party that protects religion. But when I see how national identity and religious sentiments are manipulated for political gains, I feel that I cannot align myself with this anymore.”

Emphasising Tamil identity

Taking a strong stance on Tamil identity, Nachiyaar asserted, “The dignity of the Tamil language, the richness of Tamil culture, and the respect due to Tamil pride cannot be compromised. I can no longer align myself with those who do not acknowledge this.”

Her departure comes amid growing debates over the imposition of Hindi and the BJP’s stance on Tamil cultural preservation, which has sparked strong reactions from political leaders and the public alike.

(agency inputs)