Vijay prediction bang on. Is PK now most-famous Bihari in Tamil Nadu after Dhoni?
A year ago, poll strategist and Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor joked about competing with cricket star MS Dhoni in Tamil Nadu's popularity charts. He had said he would become the most popular Bihari in Tamil Nadu after the 2026 Assembly polls. That tongue-in-cheek boast might now prove true, as he advised Vijay's party TVK, which is set to win the state polls.
by Anand Singh · India TodayAs vote counting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is underway, actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has taken a stunning lead in a state dominated by Dravida parties, the DMK and the AIADMK. The debutant TVK, formed just two years ago, is on the verge of rewriting the state's political script. And one man's early prediction now looks remarkably accurate. That man is Prashant Kishor.
The poll strategist from Bihar and founder of the Jan Suraaj Party had, in February 2025, made a pretty confident statement that grabbed headlines across the country. He was then attending TVK's first anniversary event in Mahabalipuram.
"I have to become the most popular Bihari in Tamil Nadu," he said. "So, I have to compete with Dhoni, who makes Chennai Super Kings win," he pointed out, with a smile, that cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the only Bihari more popular than him in the state.
Then he added, "But make no mistake, next year when I contribute and help you win, then I will be taking over Dhoni in popularity."
At the time, many dismissed it as typical political talk. TVK was new, Vijay had never contested an election, and the DMK and AIADMK had dominated Tamil Nadu politics for decades. But Kishor had already seen the potential.
Months before the anniversary event, he had told TVK leaders that the party could realistically aim for 15 to 20% of the vote share.
He argued that a large section of voters, roughly one in every five, was tired of the old two-party system and was waiting for a fresh alternative. He even prepared a roadmap to help the party reach that target.
Kishor's association with TVK began in early February 2025 after he met Vijay. He soon took on the role of political advisor, offering guidance and lending credibility to the young party. His public support at the anniversary event was seen as a big boost. However, in July 2025, Kishor stepped back from day-to-day advisory work. With his own party contesting elections in Bihar, he paused his involvement with TVK and said he would decide on resuming after November 2025.
Even though Kishor's direct role was limited in the final months of the campaign, the early strategy and his strong public backing appear to have helped TVK build momentum. The party fought alone in all 234 seats, avoiding alliances, and focused on issues like jobs, education, and a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
Early trends on Monday show it has directly cut into the DMK's traditional support, especially among younger voters in cities.
Kishor's simple calculation about the 15-20% "unaligned vote" has played out on the ground. TVK's performance far exceeded what most observers expected, proving his early assessment right.
For Prashant Kishor, Monday's developments in Tamil Nadu must feel like sweet vindication. The strategist who has helped shape election victories for major parties across India, threw his weight behind a film star's new political party. His light-hearted comment about becoming Tamil Nadu's most famous Bihari, once seen as a joke, now reads more like a prophecy.
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