Actor Raghava Lawrence opts out of Trichy East bid, keeps political future open

Actor-director-choreographer Raghava Lawrence said on June 30 that he would not contest for the Trichy East MLA seat, amid reports that he could be fielded there by Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the upcoming election. Vijay had won in both Perambur and Trichy East in the Assembly Elections, but resigned from the latter before taking oath as the Chief Minister. In a 16-minute video posted on his X page, Lawrence issued a detailed clarification on the speculation.

Thanking people for their affection, Lawrence said he had been hearing people at shooting locations call out to him saying, 'Welcome Trichy East MLA'. He said he was grateful for the love, but added that there was also a question of political 'dharma' and that he wanted to speak openly about what was on his mind.

Why he ruled out Trichy East

Lawrence said there were many early workers who had put up posters for Vijay from the time he became a hero and had continued to work from the grassroots after the party was launched. He said many people around Vijay could still be waiting for the coveted Trichy East seat, and that the decision on who should contest there must be taken by Vijay himself. He added that whoever Vijay chose would win because people would vote for Vijay's face.

He said it would not be right for him to go and stand in such a constituency. Using an analogy, Lawrence said if someone sowed a seed, watched it sprout, fenced and protected it, and then saw it grow into a tree and bear fruit, it would not be right for another person to come and pluck and eat that fruit. The one who sowed the seed, he said, should be the one to enjoy it.

Here's the video:

His view on entering politics

Calling this political dharma, Lawrence said that if he was to enter politics, he should first join the party as an ordinary member and work for it for at least three to four years. "Do your duty. Don't expect anything in return," he said, describing it as his policy. Only after the party leadership, which he referred to as the Chief Minister, recognised his work and gave him a responsibility should he use that position to do what was needed for the people, he added.

Lawrence said he intended to ask Chief Minister Vijay for help. He recalled that when Kalaignar Karunanidhi was a Chief Minister, he sought assistance for surgeries for some children and that help was given. He also said that he had recently sent Udhayanidhi Stalin a video of children with disabilities from his foundation performing a sport, after which it was forwarded to former Chief Minister MK Stalin, and they were made to perform before him. He added that Anbumani Ramadoss too had extended several forms of help.

Addressing Vijay directly, Lawrence said that while still an actor, the actor had spent his own money to save a child. Having helped so much even as an actor, Lawrence said, Vijay could now be approached with courage and a sense of right while serving as Chief Minister. He said Vijay could help a thousand more children if he wished, and added that if he did so, he would say so proudly in public.

Fans still left guessing

Lawrence said he was only stating that he would not contest from Trichy East and had not said that he would not stand anywhere else. He added that, according to dharma, he would enter politics patiently and follow a step-by-step process.

Raghava Lawrence's clarification rules him out of Trichy East for now, while leaving open the possibility of a future political role elsewhere.