Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 10 : Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, saying that while the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief plays hero in films, he acts like a villain in real life.
Speaking to reporters at a private hotel here, Dhinakaran spoke on various political and public-interest issues.
“Vijay appears as a hero in films, but he is a villain in real life,” Dhinakaran said.
On the upcoming Assembly by-election, he said fielding a common candidate against the TVK would be a good idea. “A final decision should be taken after detailed discussions with the alliance parties,” he said.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the election schedule for vacant Assembly constituencies across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, West Bengal, and one Parliamentary constituency in Assam, with voting scheduled to take place on October 6 and counting of votes on October 9.
In Tamil Nadu, the final electoral rolls for the Madurantakam (SC) and Dharapuram (SC) Assembly constituencies were released on February 23, while the rolls for the Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies in West Bengal were finalised on February 28 following comprehensive revision drives.
Dhinakaran also opposed the Tamil Nadu government's plan to construct a new Assembly complex.
“It is not acceptable to establish a new Assembly complex at a location that could affect the livelihood of fishermen and cause severe traffic congestion,” he said.
He further expressed suspicion that the government might be planning to shift the Assembly “close to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's residence”. 
Expressing concern over the rising cost of living, Dhinakaran said prices of essential commodities such as rice, pulses and sugar had increased sharply.
“The prices of essential commodities have now touched the sky,” he said.
Dhinakaran also dismissed reports of a merger between the AIADMK and AMMK.
“AMMK is functioning along with the AIADMK-led alliance. However, there is no truth in reports that the two parties are going to merge,” he said.
This comes as CM Vijay is scheduled to embark on his first official overseas visit tonight (September 10), travelling to London via Dubai to pitch the state as a premier investment destination.
CM Vijay is expected to stay in London for a few days and hold meetings with industrialists from European countries. During these meetings, he is expected to urge them to come to Tamil Nadu in India and set up new businesses, as well as make substantial investments in the state. Vijay will depart from Chennai for London via Dubai on an Emirates Airlines passenger flight tomorrow night.
As this marks CM Vijay’s first international trip since assuming office, authorities at the Chennai Airport are actively coordinating logistics. A high-level Advance Security Liaison (ASL) meeting is reportedly scheduled at Chennai's old airport today to finalise security and protocol arrangements. Additionally, a delegation of senior officials from the state's Industries and Finance departments will reportedly fly out ahead of the Chief Minister to lay the groundwork for the bilateral meetings.
It is also reported that a few officials from the Industries Department and the Finance Department will travel to London and may leave for London ahead of the Chief Minister.