Vellore: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan on Sunday expressed anguish that he is being “pettily” criticised with remarks suggesting he “sold out for a sofa”.
Speaking at a party function in Vellore, he said the rise of leaders from oppressed communities to positions such as Deputy Speaker and eight ministers was a first in Tamil Nadu’s political history.
Referring to the 2015 period, Thirumavalavan said the idea of a “coalition government” that his party had advocated led to the formation of the People’s Welfare Front. After the 2016 election, he said, he was blamed for allegedly preventing the DMK from coming to power by forming that front.
He said the VCK has now extended support to the TVK government only after obtaining the consent of DMK leader M.K. Stalin. Instead of debating who was responsible for the DMK’s defeat, he argued, political observers should examine what drove TVK’s victory, adding that voters did not accept religion, caste or alliance strength in this election.
Thirumavalavan also said that TVK and the VCK have not yet begun alliance talks. He added that he had repeatedly warned even before the election that the AIADMK’s position would become a matter of concern after the 2026 polls, and claimed that his assessment had now come true.
