Ranjana Nachiyar Joins Actor Vijay’s Party After Quitting BJP Over Language Row

After quitting the BJP over a language row, actor-turned-politician Ranjana Nachiyaar joined superstar Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Wednesday, February 16, for its first anniversary celebration. Tamil Nadu Art & Cultural Wing State Secretary Nachiyaar resigned from the BJP yesterday.

Nachiyaar participated in the party's first-year anniversary celebrations in Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu. “Tamil Nadu people see him as the next MGR... He is the hope of Tamil Nadu," she said.

VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: Actor turned politician and BJP leader Ranjana Nachiyaar joins actor Vijay’s TVK party.

“Tamil Nadu people see him as the next MGR… He is the hope of Tamil Nadu," she says as she participates in TVK’s first-year anniversary celebrations in Mamallapuram,… pic.twitter.com/JPvAUdOHmf

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 26, 2025

In a social media post, she said that the BJP of 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 wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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“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,” she wrote further.

🙏@BJP4TamilNadu@annamalai_k@KesavaVinayakan@blsanthoshpic.twitter.com/rkFMplsjA2

— Ranjana Natchiyaar (@RanjanaNachiyar) February 25, 2025

She also took a firm stance on Tamil identity, saying, “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.”

"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," Nachiyaar concluded.