Chennai: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan said the party chose to finalise its seat-sharing agreement with the DMK-led alliance without creating disputes over “one or two constituencies”, as it could trigger unrest within the coalition and hurt its prospects.
Speaking to reporters after signing the agreement, he said the party’s high-level committee had earlier resolved to seek a double-digit number of seats and also press for a Rajya Sabha berth that would fall vacant in 2028. He said these demands were discussed with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Thirumavalavan described the DMK front as a 23-party “mega alliance” that has functioned cohesively for seven to eight years, and said VCK remains in it to counter communal forces and safeguard left-leaning democratic politics. He added that the party weighed the pros and cons and considered the coalition’s interests as important as its own.
He said VCK signed the deal with full satisfaction and would work with the aim of winning in more than 200 seats. He also reiterated that VCK is not a weak party that can be broken, and said the party would contest in eight constituencies in Tamil Nadu under the ‘Panai’ (pot) symbol as a recognised party.
On Puducherry, he said VCK had announced it would contest alone and, as a precaution, had filed nominations in three constituencies, noting that there is still time to withdraw. On the Rajya Sabha seat, he said the party had raised the issue but had not applied pressure.
