Once again, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has indirectly expressed its displeasure with its ally, the ruling DMK. Deputy General Secretary Vanni Arasu has accused the DMK of failing to address caste-related atrocities in the state. He lamented that while VCK chief and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan is more than capable of serving as the Chief Minister, the alliance remains reluctant to support him for the position, believing that doing so would alienate voters from dominant castes.
In a recent interview with a private news channel, Deputy General Secretary Vanni Arasu was asked about his concerns regarding the DMK, his alliance partner. He openly criticized the DMK’s handling of caste-related issues, citing incidents in Vengaivayal and Melpathi. He suggested that the government should take greater interest in abolishing caste distinctions and implementing laws against honor killings.
Vanni Arasu said, “In caste-related issues like Vengaivayal or Melpathi, where people are not allowed inside the temple, today all over Tamil Nadu there are caste-related issues. We are asking to enact an act against honor killings, which they have not done. People like me think that this government should focus more on caste eradication and work on it.”. He later accused the DMK of treating these issues lightly, warning that this approach could exacerbate the problems.
When the host asked whether anyone was trying to prevent others from attaining prominent positions based on caste, to that Vanni Arasu lamented although his party chief, Thirumavalavan, is fully capable, the alliance is unwilling to propose his name, which has sparked considerable controversy.
Vanni Arasu said, “Today in Tamil Nadu, I can challenge and even argue. Can you suggest an alternative who is as qualified as our leader Thirumavalavan to be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, considering everything? In today’s situation, he is a leader who can speak on everything – every problem, whether it be Iran and Iraq issues, other worldly issues, Mullai Periyar issue, Eelam related issues, state rights issues, central government related issues, or handling central government matters. If there is a qualified and talented leader today, it is him. However, why people are hesitating to propose him as the chief minister. Even in the Makkal Nala Kootani (People’s Welfare Front), our party’s general secretary Ravi Kumar proposed that the chief minister candidate should be from our party. However, the Makkal Nala Kootani itself did not accept it, hesitating due to the rigidity of the caste structure and the attitude that other castes will not vote. This is a big threat here.”
Then the host asked the General Secretary about the VCK’s aspirations. He replied that the party’s dream is to see Thirumavalavan become Chief Minister. He subtly hinted that the initial plan was for Thirumavalavan to take the role of Deputy Chief Minister, but instead, DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin was appointed. By stating this, he indirectly expressed the VCK’s displeasure with the appointment and reaffirmed their desire for their leader to be the Chief Minister. He ridiculed the position of Deputy Chief Minister, describing it as merely an honorary role not specified in the constitution, and expressed his disdain for it.
Vanni Arasu said, “VCK’s dream or our dream is to see our chief come to power and become the chief minister, not a deputy chief minister. We wish he should become chief minister because the position of deputy chief minister is honorary and not specified in the constitution. Chief minister is the goal and its has the power.”
Later, he criticized the DMK’s policy, stating that while the VCK advocates for the prohibition of liquor, the DMK’s claim that it has implemented a billing system is misguided. He emphasized that the government should work towards abolishing liquor altogether.
This accusation comes against the backdrop of growing discontent among the DMK’s alliance partners, including the VCK, Congress, and the Communists, who are dissatisfied with the DMK’s policy decisions since it came to power in 2021. The rift has become more apparent following reports that suggested DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin is set to become the next Deputy Chief Minister. Later, with his appointment, the allies have been openly criticizing the party at every opportunity.
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