VCK tries to pre-empt TVK’s potential bid to rope in PMK

In a bid to pre-empt any possibility of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam roping in the Pattali Makkal Katchi, which has four MLAs, into the ruling ‘Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance’, its ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi has warned it would sever ties in such an eventuality. However, the PMK, which chose to stay neutral in the recent bypolls to Madurantakam and Dharapuram, that led to speculations about it keeping future political options open, has outright rejected the possibility saying it was firmly with the National Democratic Alliance.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu, on Sunday declared that the VCK would quit the TVK alliance if the PMK was inducted. “We will not be a part of any alliance which has the PMK or the Bharatiya Janata Party,” he said at the ‘Tamil Nationalist Uprising’ conference organised by the party in Tindivanam.

On the occasion, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan launched a sharp attack against the PMK, the Naam Tamilar Katchi and the BJP. He rejected the analysis that Vanniyar community votes (which favoured the PMK) went to the TVK in Madurantakam. He also suggested that the DMK, which came second in the bypolls, nevertheless needs a “vaathiyaar” (master) who could give them the “extra marks” to ensure they pass the exam.

“There is none in the DMK to do self-criticism. Is it enough to get second place? You need more votes to win the elections...for that you need alliance partners,” he said adding the votes of the PMK supporters will never go to the alliance which has the VCK in it. He also criticised the NTK for not addressing caste contradictions in the society and criticising progressive leaders for not having “Tamil heritage”.

Asked about this, PMK spokesperson K. Balu said Mr. Thirumavalvan has made it a habit of being “obsessed” with the PMK even when its president Anbumani Ramadoss has consistently pursued constructive politics of development and social justice.

“We continue to be a part of the NDA. Our president has clearly clarified that we have no plans of joining the TVK government. He [Mr. Thirumavalavan] is repeating this [anti-PMK stance] for the sake of politics. The PMK’s contribution to society in terms of fighting for development, welfare and social justice cannot be compared with that of the VCK. The PMK will continue to pursue progressive politics. The VCK is now a part of the ruling coalition and we hope that he focusses on governance instead of talking about the PMK,” he said.

Mr. Thirumavalavan, in his speech, said the “share in power” fell into the lap of the VCK because of “time”. “I have been talking about share in power and share in government for the last 25 years. We contested the 2016 Assembly elections by putting forward the share in power as a slogan. When times change, our criticism is that the DMK didn’t take efforts to sustain the alliance. The DMK should have done more to keep its allies together. Had the DMK taken a decision to consider the demand of a share in power raised by the Congress...the alliance would have won.”

Fathima Farhana S, spokesperson of NTK, said, “Mr. Thirumavalavan is speaking with malice against the NTK. When have we supported caste forces? He is speaking against the NTK for the sake of it just because he has organised a Tamil nationalist public meeting. In fact, it is the VCK which is in alliance with the TVK that has leaders like CTR Nirmal Kumar and MLA Jagannath Misra who belong to the RSS camp. Has Vanni Arasu ever spoken responsibly?”