Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) leader Velmurugan on Sunday announced that his party has withdrawn from the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Velmurugan said TVK functions with a “political leadership group” that includes the Tamil Nadu Liberation Army, Maoist organisations and the Tamil Nadu Recovery Force, and therefore he cannot take decisions unilaterally.
He said his party had extended support to the DMK on the basis of a minimum common programme, but alleged that when TVK sought implementation, the DMK responded in a dismissive manner. He also claimed there was no action on implementing 10.5% reservation for Vanniyars and on conducting a caste-based census, blaming what he described as upper-caste, RSS-ideology officials influencing the Chief Minister.
Velmurugan further alleged that a DMK minister had purchased hundreds of acres of land in the area proposed for the Parandur airport project. He said he has details on alleged wrongdoing by ministers and departmental secretaries and would share them with the public.
He added that TVK had sought three constituencies at the end of talks and insisted the party would not join the BJP alliance. Velmurugan said he would soon make an official announcement on contesting elections with those who accept the party’s 10 demands.
