VCK 'officially' not severed alliance with DMK, reiterates Thirumavalavan

Chennai/Ariyalur/Tenkasi, Jul 9 (PTI) Reiterating that his party has not "officially" severed its alliance with the DMK, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan on Thursday launched a sharp attack on what he termed "political hypocrisy" and media double standards. He said the media repeatedly interrogates VCK on its political alignments while failing to question rival leaders. "Shouldn't the media ask our Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay: You called them an evil force. The people voted for you to oppose it. Then on what basis did you go to his (DMK chief M K Stalin's) house and receive his greetings," Thirumavalavan asked, while addressing party cadres in an event organised in Chennai to induct 500 members from other parties. He further said while people are ready to question how VCK could align with someone it previously criticised, no one is willing to ask Vijay any question. "Why does no one ask Vijay how he can openly seek support from someone who called him a child born of the RSS," Thirumavalavan asked. Incidentally, Thirumavalavan's July 7 remark -- that VCK participating in a TVK-led cabinet does not amount to joining their alliance -- has sparked a political row in Tamil Nadu. Responding to reporters' queries, Thirumavalavan clarified then that his party had not officially severed its alliance with the DMK. While TVK downplayed it, calling it the "beauty of democracy", MDMK chief Vaiko, who recently extended his support to TVK, mocked him saying he deserved a "Noble Prize" for his stance. Asserting the party's critical role in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA)'s performance, Thirumavalavan noted that VCK’s contribution was a major factor in the DMK securing 59 seats. "The role of the Chiruthaigal (VCK cadres) in retaining these numbers is immense, but critics refuse to acknowledge it because they cannot digest the political weight given to our party," he added. Thirumavalavan maintained that his party acted with complete political decorum and transparency. "We acted out of comradeship and civilised approach, not because we needed permission. Just because a new political position is attained, it does not mean old relationships should be immediately cast aside," he insisted. Thirumavalavan had emphasised the need for political maturity to maintain friendly relations, adding that his primary focus remains on building a strong anti-BJP coalition rather than dwelling on regional grievances. Speaking to reporters in Ariyalur on July 8, the Lok Sabha MP stressed that a unified front is essential to counter the BJP's "communal politics," irrespective of local ideological differences. "Even if the TVK and DMK hold opposing stances locally, my national perspective is that both parties must be part of the INDIA bloc to defeat the BJP," Thirumavalavan said. He also added that VCK's dynamics with various parties should be viewed through a prism of political maturity and healthy democratic relationships rather than rigid hostility. He added that only in Tamil Nadu, a long-standing political culture dictates that you must either be completely on this side or that side. "Why should it be always interpreted that an alliance has broken? Can we not maintain friendships or relationships with others while being in a particular alliance? Why is there such an uncultured form of politics only in Tamil Nadu? In other states, parties allied with the BJP maintain friendly ties with the Congress, and vice versa. Leaders who fight inside Parliament shake hands, sit together for coffee in the lobby, and even embrace in the Central Hall. Why shouldn't that political decency come to Tamil Nadu," Thirumavalavan asked. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Tenkasi on Thursday, Vaiko apologised for making fun of Thirumavalavan's stance. Stating that he was "deeply shocked" by Thirumavalavan's almost impossible suggestion that TVK, DMK, and the national front should come together in a single alliance as well as confused by how one could participate in a Cabinet while remaining in the DMK alliance, Vaiko said he suggested a "Nobel Prize" for the VCK chief. "I have no intention of hurting him. There is no anger or regret whatsoever. I do not have even a tiny bit of bitterness or resentment. If my words have hurt his feelings, I take those words back. I withdraw my words," Vaiko told reporters. PTI JR JR KH