Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay is on course for a landmark political debut as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, surged ahead in early trends in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on Monday, with his father S. A. Chandrasekhar expressing pride and confidence in his son’s rise.

“First of all, as a father, I'm very proud and happy. Totally, me and my wife, because my wishes to my son because I've been seeing his confidence level over the last two years,” Chandrasekhar told ANI as counting trends showed TVK leading in more than 100 of the 234 constituencies, positioning the fledgling party for a potential historic victory.

Chandrasekhar recalled Vijay’s confidence ahead of the polls, saying the actor-politician had told him, “I will be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.” He added that his son showed unwavering belief throughout the campaign. “I will stand with my own legs, no alliance,” he said, recalling Vijay’s words. “So, it's a good thing for Tamil Nadu and Tamil Nadu people, Tamil people. Definitely, I think it's a historical success, a historical victory for Vijay.”

Earlier in the day, Vijay and his father visited the Subramanyaswamy Temple to offer prayers before counting began. Hours later, trends indicated that TVK had crossed the 100-seat mark, triggering celebrations at the party chief’s residence, where family members and supporters gathered.

Vijay’s mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar, said, “I am so happy,” as visuals showed relatives celebrating the party’s performance. A family member described the mood as jubilant, saying, “He is a young and energetic person and everyone in Tamil Nadu is expecting that the biggest change through him and definitely we believe that he can do the best among everybody... In his last speech, he said the last speech that people believe in me so much... What he speaks about before the election, he will definitely make sure that it happens... It is an enormous victory.”

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She added, “My aunt (Vijay's mother) does not have words to talk. She is overwhelmed with happiness, and she is so humble, and that makes Vijay a person today. SA Chandrasekhar (his father) is very energetic, and Shobha (his mother) is very humble; the combination has worked on Vijay. That's how it's also going to work on the people also. We are very fortunate to have him as our own person in the family. I'm also overjoyed.”

Chandrasekhar also spoke about his son’s long-held ambition, saying, “In the last 30 years, he had been thinking that he had to do something for society, for the Tamil people. It was there in his mind. Slowly, he has developed these things. Today, he is going to be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.”

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Talking about Vijay’s connect with the public, he said, “Tamil people loved him not only as a leader. Every lady considers him as his own son. Young people consider him their own brother. Everyone calls him Anna. Anna means brother. Old ladies, they consider him their own son. Some 60-year-old ladies they are considered him their grandson. He has developed that relationship between the public and him.”

According to trends, TVK was leading in over 100 seats in the 234-member Assembly, ahead of both the DMK and AIADMK, as counting of votes polled on April 23 continued. Vijay was also leading in Tiruchirappalli (East) and Perambur constituencies by comfortable margins.

The counting process is still underway and final results are awaited.