Veteran south Indian actor Vijayakumar, who has essayed roles in over 800 films, on Wednesday joined the BJP, with the party expressing confidence that it would help in its presence across the region and enable more artistes come into its fold.

He was associated with the AIADMK during the MGR era, later became inactive. He formally  joined the party as a member in 2006 in the presence of J Jayalalithaa.

During MGR’s times, Vijaykumar was a major crowd-puller in political parties.

Vijaykumar said he would hit the campaign trail as and when advised by the BJP high command.

"I am known in all the southern states by virtue of my acting in all the regional language movies. People in Tamil Nadu know me well," the actor, who joined the party in the presence of Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, told reporters.

He hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government's many schemes and said they should reach all states.

He sought cooperation of the respective state governments for successful implementation of Central schemes.

To a question, he said he had not joined the party with an eye on fighting polls, but wanted to do his bit to propel the BJP to the ruling saddle in Tamil Nadu, where Assembly polls are scheduled on May 16.

Radhakrishnan said the party "wholeheartedly" welcomed the veteran actor.

Vijayakumar joining BJP would be helpful for the party all over south India, he said in an apparent reference to the actor being well-known among southern region movie-goers.

"This will enable more artistes to join BJP," he said.