Confusion has surfaced within the DMK-led alliance over the community identity of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) candidate in Thiruporur, with campaigners reportedly unsure how to project the nominee to different voter groups.
According to DMK sources, VCK has been allotted six reserved constituencies and two general constituencies—Thiruporur and Panruti—as part of the alliance seat-sharing arrangement.
Thiruporur, where the Vanniyar community is said to be numerically strong, had also gone to VCK in the previous election. At that time, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan fielded S.S. Balaji, a Vanniyar, and the party was able to defeat the PMK, the sources said. This time, Balaji has not been given the ticket.
Instead, the party has nominated Panneerdas, described by the sources as a Christian from the Scheduled Caste community. However, many VCK and alliance functionaries are said to be assuming he is Vanniyar, leading to a situation where he is projected differently in different areas—adding to confusion in the campaign, the sources added.
