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The Print
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Political prudence or just pressure? DMK allies turn up heat over seat-sharing before Tamil Nadu polls
While Thirumalavalan played it down as just a friendly meeting, Vaigaichelvan said the meeting marked the beginning of the unravelling of the DMK-led alliance. VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, who has been pressing for more seats, went a step further, meeting opposition AIADMK MLA and former minister Vaigaichelvan who visited him at his residence on 16 June. Chennai: With assembly elections in Tamil Nadu just about 10 months away, allies of the ruling DMK in the state including the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have started mounting pressure on the senior partner to give them more seats to contest the polls. 'The DMK alliance has developed cracks and it is just the beginning. You will see more parties having discussions with the AIADMK,' Vaigaichelvan told reporters in Chennai on 18 June when asked about the meeting. Hours later, addressing a public meeting in Madurai, Thirumavalavan said while VCK is not averse to the idea of joining the AIADMK-led alliance, 'the alliance also has BJP and the PMK, which would not go well with us.' 'VCK will not be part of any alliance where BJP and the PMK are there,' he declared. Thirumavalavan and CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam have said on multiple occasions that they would definitely demand more seats from DMK. CPI state secretary P. Mutharasan told ThePrint they too want more seats. 'But, demanding and negotiating the seats are supposed to happen discreetly between parties. It should not be discussed with the media like how other alliance partners are doing,' he said. Asked about it, DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan said it was for Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to decide who gets how many seats in the alliance. 'Our leader will not let anybody be unhappy in the state. Alliance leaders will also be treated in the same manner.' In the 2011 assembly elections, DMK contested 119 of the 234 seats. Its ally Congress was given 63 seats, while VCK and CPI were allocated 10 each, and the CPI(M) 12. While CPI won one seat with a vote share of 1.49 percent, CPI(M) didn't win any, though it did corner 2.22 percent votes. The Congress managed to win five seats with a vote share of 9.31 percent percent, while VCK won two seats with a vote share of 1.51 percent. In the 2016 assembly elections, VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and other parties formed a third front and contested separately but did not secure any seat, and their vote percentage was also under one percent. The Congress, which was part of the DMK-led alliance, contested 41 seats and won eight, securing 6.42 percent votes. In 2021, VCK, CPI and CPI(M) contested the assembly elections as DMK allies and were allotted six seats each. While CPI and CPI(M) won two seats each, VCK won four. The Congress contested 25 seats and won 18, securing 4.29 percent votes, compared to CPI(M)'s 1.13 percent, CPI's 1.10 percent and VCK's 1.01 percent. Also Read: Stalin's face front & centre, I-PAC hits ground running to shape DMK campaign for 2026 polls 'Just a pressure tactic' Political analyst P. Sigamani told ThePrint it was just a pressure-building tactic by smaller parties so they can bargain a better deal during seat-sharing talks with senior allies. But it would not have any bearing on the larger alliance. 'The DMK-led alliance is a tested and proven alliance that would win the elections, be it parliament or assembly or even the local body. Hence, there is no chance of the alliance breaking. But, these demands in public would give them a leverage to (potentially) get more seats in the upcoming assembly election,' Sigamani told ThePrint. 'If political parties that have increased their vote share and their presence over the years and they demand more seats, it would definitely help the alliance. But, if parties like the Congress demand more seats, it would have an impact in securing a majority in the assembly,' Sigamani said, recalling the past performance of the Congress party. In the 2011 polls, the Congress won just five of the 63 seats it contested. In the 2016 polls, the Congress was allotted 41 seats and it won eight. In the 2021 assembly elections, the Congress was allocated 25 seats and it won 18 seats. 'We have also increased our presence in the state,' Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K. Selvaperunthagai told ThePrint. 'Unlike in previous elections, we have proved our support base in the last two Lok Sabha elections and in the 2021 assembly election as well. So, we would definitely demand for more seats to contest, and the numbers will be decided by the national leadership.' VCK general secretary Sinthanai Selvan said it was the need of the hour to strengthen the alliance to achieve the larger goal of protecting the country. 'We are part of the DMK alliance not just for the seats and power, but, for a larger cause of saving the nation from the Hindutva forces,' he told ThePrint. 'In the journey to protect the country, it is also essential to strengthen ourselves to fight Sanatan forces. So, demanding more seats to contest is natural to strengthen our own party.' He, however, added the demand would not be at the cost of the DMK-led alliance. Shanmugam also told ThePrint seat-sharing talks would not be at the cost of the alliance, but it would only aim at strengthening his party and its representation in the assembly. 'The representation of the Marxist at the state and national level has been dwindling for years. And as a party, we want to increase our presence in assembly in accordance with our increase in presence on the ground,' he said, adding that they do not have any number in mind for now, but would decide at the time of seat-sharing talks with DMK. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: How smaller TN parties are bolstering bargaining power to extract more from senior partners in 2026
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
People of Tamil Nadu will defeat Sangh Parivar politics, says VCK chief Thirumavalavan
MADURAI: People of Tamil Nadu will defeat the politics of religion which is practised by Sangh Parivar in northern states, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said. Speaking after taking part in a human chain protest organised by the Madurai Federation for Religious Harmony on Thursday to oppose the Murugan Maanadu, Thirumavalvan said through the protest, people of TN are conveying to the world that they are against religious politics. 'In northern states Sangh Parivar used religious politics to divide people. They are testing the same in Tamil Nadu. Since 1992, after the Babri Masjid issue, Sangh Parivar has been trying to rake up a controversy in Thiruparankundram and spread hatred against Muslims,' he said. 'BJP leaders like H Raja have made statements that they will convert Tamil Nadu into Ayodhya. But people of Tamil Nadu will never allow it, ' Thiruma said. He added 'Now they are making another attempt to woo Mukulathur community by organising the Murugan Maanadu. They will not succeed. We are not against the programme but are worried it will be used by Sangh outfits to unleash violence and destroy brotherhood among people.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP bid to create unrest via Murugan meet: Thiruma
Madurai: VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan has accused BJP and Sangh Parivar of trying to use the names of Hindu deities to create unrest and disrupt religious harmony in various states. "Now, they are experimenting with Murugan devotees' conference, but the people of Tamil Nadu would not fall for such propaganda," he said. Thirumavalavan was addressing a human chain protest on Thursday evening by Madurai Religious Harmony People's Federation, which includes leftist, Islamic outfits, and human rights organisations, against the Murugan devotees conference to be held in Madurai on June 22. The human chain extended from Raja Muthaiah Mandram to Gandhi Museum. He said that earlier in the morning, he visited Thiruparankundram Murugan temple and Sikkandar Dargah on Thiruparankundram hill. While the BJP and Hindu right-wing outfits have been 'spewing hate' over the ownership of the hill, he said he saw Hindus and Muslims living in harmony. "Hindus and Muslims don't see each other as enemies. But some people in the BJP are openly saying Thiruparankundram will turn into another Ayodhya dispute," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "From Ramar in the North, Durga in West Bengal, Vinayagar in Maharashtra, and Sabarimala issue in Kerala, the BJP uses deities' names to create unrest," he said. "There may be caste clashes now and then, but Tamil Nadu should never suffer from religious divide," he added. The VCK leader said the BJP wanted to desperately woo the mukkalathor community after successfully getting support from nadars in Kanyakumari and Tuticorin. "Votebank politics is their ultimate goal. If it was truly a Murugan conference for devotees' sake, would they have priests perform all the 'archanai' in Tamil for the model exhibit of six abodes of Lord Murugan they set up," he said.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Attempt being made to disturb Madurai's tradition of social harmony
Madurai has a tradition of social harmony where equality and brotherhood is followed. The Sangh Parivar is conducting the Lord Murugan devotees conference in Madurai to disturb this harmony and keeping the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections on their mind, said VCK president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, on Thursday. Addressing the gathering at the Human Chain protest organised in Madurai by the members of Madurai Madha Nallinakka Makkal Kootamaipu, Mr. Thirumavalavan said that BJP, Hindu Munnani and the Sangh Paraivar who have never voiced for the public with respect to several issues had earlier tried to divide the people through the Tirupparankundaram issue. Now, they are attempting to disturb harmony though the conference. They have never spoken for precedence to Tamil in the temple rituals and are taking steps to eliminate the findings of Keeladi and Tamil civilization. The Sangh Parivar is trying to use the method which is being used by them in the North to divide the people. The people of Tamil Nadu should stay united and oppose the attempt being made to disturb communal harmony, he said. Advocate S. Vanchinathan, the Coordinator of the forum, said that the conference organised by Hindu Munnani is not a religious conference, but was a political conference targeting the 2026 Assembly elections. Mixing religion and politics is dangerous. In the North, they divided the people in the name of Lord Ram and here they want to do the same in the name of Lord Murugan, he said. He urged the State government to monitor the conference and ensure that communal harmony is not disturbed. Earlier, Mr. Thirumavalavan visited Tirupparankundram and interacted with the people. Addressing media persons, he said that an attempt had been made to divide the people. But, there was no enmity between the people and they have remained united.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
DMK ally points to bias in coalition, says AIADMK tie-up possible without BJP
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan said there is no issue in joining hands with the AIADMK, but categorically ruled out any alliance involving the BJP or was clear on the possibility of a future alliance with AIADMK: 'There is no problem in joining hands with AIADMK. But since BJP is with them, we can't.' Reaffirming the VCK's ideological position, he said the party will never align with the BJP or being an ally of Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, Thirumavalavan said that the VCK continues to face a political and administrative crisis. 'A common question is, why continue in the alliance? But politics cannot be based on one or two incidents. We have to think about the broader good of Tamil Nadu, Dalits, and marginalised communities across India,' he said.'Even while being in the ruling alliance, we are being targeted,' he said, pointing to the removal of VCK flags in districts like Chidambaram, Perambalur, Ariyalur, and Cuddalore.'Bulldozers were used to remove our flagpoles alone, not others,' he added, calling the move a display of 'vengeance by those in power.'The VCK chief expressed frustration that the police stopped the party's activities under the pretext of permission, despite VCK being part of the ruling the idea of playing political games to extract favours or threaten allies, Thirumavalavan said the VCK's goal was to take Ambedkarite politics to the people, not indulge in power play. IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
