India, Sept. 24 -- As the emergence of a new political front in southern Tamil Nadu took formal shape with the inclusion of the Congress, this new realignment of political forces in the southern state, though having a regional character, is bound to have an impact on national politics. The Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance (SSJVA), led by actor-turned-politician and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), with Congress as a partner, though playing second fiddle in the alliance, makes the new formation interesting.

The few months that Vijay has been in power in Tamil Nadu after dislodging the powerful ruling DMK have portrayed a new-era politician with a fresh outlook and unconventional ways of pursuing polit...