VCK cadres protest during Premalatha’s Dharmapuri campaign

DMDK general secretary Premalatha campaigned near the BSNL office in Dharmapuri on Friday evening, seeking votes for the party’s candidate Ilangovan.

Leaders and cadres from alliance parties, including the DMK, Congress and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), were present at the event.

While Premalatha was speaking, a group of VCK cadres standing in front of the campaign vehicle suddenly held up a banner. The banner questioned why she did not stand up when VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan called her name.

Premalatha was visibly upset, and VCK’s Dharmapuri district secretary Pandiyan quickly removed the banner, bringing the situation under control. VCK functionaries later said a video from a Cuddalore campaign meeting led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had triggered the controversy, and warned that rising caste-based politics in the constituency was not in line with alliance principles.