News Tamil Nadu

DMK Ally VCK Chief Thirumavalavan Invites AIADMK To Anti-Alcohol Protest

September 10, 2024
The Commune

In what can be seen as a surprising move, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thirumavalavan has invited the AIADMK to join his party’s protest for a total ban on alcohol. This move has elicited strong reactions from a DMK minister, who publicly affirmed the strength of their alliance with Thirumavalavan and his party. Despite these assurances, the weakening of their alliance has been long anticipated. In fact, during discussions about the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a senior AIADMK leader directly proposed allocating four seats to VCK, reflecting ongoing tensions within the DMK alliance.

During a press conference at the VCK headquarters in Ashok Nagar, Chennai, Thirumavalavan revealed that the Women’s Liberation Movement will organize a conference focused on combating alcohol and drug abuse in Kallakurichi district on 2 October 2024. He drew attention to a concerning statistic, noting that between 2006 and 2024, 1,589 individuals in Tamil Nadu lost their lives due to illegal liquor.

Thirumavalavan recounted a devastating event from last year near Marakkanam, where 14 people lost their lives, causing widespread shock in Tamil Nadu. Since that incident, 69 additional deaths have occurred in Kallakurichi earlier this year. He shared that families affected by these tragedies have voiced a strong preference for shutting down liquor shops rather than receiving government compensation, arguing that only a complete prohibition on liquor can prevent further losses.

Hitting the DMK, Thirumavalavan said, “A country cannot become a superpower by turning everyone into an alcoholic. There is no use in welfare programs after creating alcoholics in every family, so we place these demands to the state government and central ruling union government.”

Thirumavalavan emphasized that Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent advocate of alcohol prohibition, inspired their efforts. He called for a phased closure of liquor shops in Tamil Nadu and questioned the delay in action despite the DMK’s 2016 election pledge to phase out liquor establishments.

Thirumavalavan advocated for making prohibition a national policy and suggested creating a special fund to support states that implement it. He also called for stricter regulation of drug trafficking and urged the Tamil Nadu government to establish a clear timetable for shutting down liquor shops.

Criticizing the lack of rehabilitation centers despite the substantial revenue generated from alcohol sales, Thirumavalavan urged for de-addiction facilities to be set up in every hospital. He labeled the government’s sale of alcohol as an “anti-national act” that depletes human resources and called for more effective action from the Tamil Nadu government on this issue.

He highlighted the need for a comprehensive abstinence plan before the assembly elections. The VCK chief encouraged all parties in favour of alcohol prohibition to unite on a common platform, regardless of electoral politics. Thirumavalavan emphasized that VCK’s stance is separate from election strategies and focused on addressing public issues rather than religious or caste-based concerns.

During a subsequent press briefing, reporters asked Thirumavalavan to clarify his criticism of parties that support liquor prohibition but are hesitant to act, specifically questioning whether he was referring to the DMK. In response, Thirumavalavan stated, “I’m saying to whoever is hesitant, even AIADMK is saying that (prohibition), but they have not implemented it. If they want, they can join our conference. AIADMK also can join. Any party can join, whoever has the consensus to prohibit liquor can come.”

This statement caused a significant stir in the DMK alliance, eliciting reactions from both the DMK, the alliance partner, and the opposition AIADMK. Meanwhile, VCK chief Thirumavalavan congratulated TVK Chief and actor Vijay on his upcoming first conference, expressing hope that Vijay’s ideology would be effectively communicated. In response, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced that AIADMK members are welcome to participate in the conference.

From the DMK side, Udhayanidhi Stalin remarked that VCK has the right to invite whomever they choose. He stated, “They will discuss it, and participation is entirely up to them.”

DMK Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ma. Subramanian stated, “There is no issue within the DMK alliance, and it will endure through many more elections.”

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