Actor Devan quits BJP, set to join Vijay's TVK in Tamil Nadu

Malayalam actor S. Devan, who recently resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has announced his decision to join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr. Devan said representatives of the TVK had approached him two days ago with an invitation to join the party. Following a video conference meeting, he decided to accept the offer. A formal announcement is expected after a meeting with TVK leaders in Tamil Nadu scheduled for September 10.

Mr. Devan said he has been offered the post of TVK State president, and that discussions on the matter will be held during the upcoming meetings.

The actor-turned-politician began his political career in the Congress and its student wing, the Kerala Students Union (KSU), during his student days. However, he alleged that Congress leaders failed to meet public expectations, prompting him to launch his own party in 2004.

He later formed the Kerala People's Party, which was renamed the Nava Kerala People's Party in 2020. In 2021, he merged the party with the BJP following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and was subsequently appointed the party's State vice-president.

Justifying his departure from the BJP, Mr. Devan said the party had not brought about any change in the existing political system in Kerala. "They are a big zero when it comes to changing the existing political system here. People want a change," he said.

Earlier, after announcing his resignation from the BJP, Mr. Devan had said he was not getting enough "space" to function within the party. His latest move is seen as a significant addition to the TVK's efforts to expand its presence beyond Tamil Nadu, particularly in Kerala's border regions.