In a fresh twist to the VCK-DMK alliance, local government authorities in Madurai removed a 62-foot flagpole, a reminder of Thirumavalavan founding Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), for road expansion. The VCK leader condemned the move, accusing the district administration of targeting his party. However, the party chief seems to be bending with the wind frequently, coming to the opposition AIADMK for an anti-alcohol protest while holding meetings with CM Stalin to strengthen his position in the ruling party.
VCK Flagpole Removed in Madurai
VCK raised concerns after authorities removed their iconic 62-foot flagpole, erected to replace the original 20-foot post installed by party chief Thol Thirumavalavan when the party was founded. The flagpole, located in Villur, Madurai district, was removed by local authorities, allegedly due to its interference with road extension plans. VCK functionaries quickly clarified that the flag had been relocated further inside the street and that no rules had been violated during its reinstallation.
However, on Friday (13 Friday 2024), police unexpectedly removed the new post. A.C. Pavarasu, a VCK functionary, condemned the move, stating that it was not the first time the district administration had targeted the party’s flag installations despite prior permissions. Thirumavalavan strongly criticized the district administration, particularly Collector M.S. Sangeetha, accusing them of deliberately targeting the VCK and its activities. He declared that the issue had been brought to the government’s and DMK ministers’ attention, and the party was expecting a favourable resolution.
The incident has raised questions about the relationship between the VCK and its larger ally, the DMK, with some wondering about Thirumavalavan’s next steps.
‘Power Sharing’ Statement
The VCK-DMK alliance, which has been united for seven years in its fight against sectarian forces, began with a flourish on 5 September 2017, at the ‘Murasoli Festival‘ in Kottivakam. However, this partnership is now showing signs of strain. VCK has faced ongoing criticism for not speaking out against the ruling party’s alleged atrocities against SC/ST communities, a situation exacerbated within their alliance.
Recently, tensions have escalated as VCK invited the opposition AIADMK to join their protest for a total ban on alcohol, suggesting a potential future alliance shift. Adding fuel to the fire, Thirumavalavan has posted an old speech calling for seat sharing in the cabinet, further straining the alliance.
On 14 September 2024, Thirumavalavan posted a video on his official X account that quickly went viral. In the video, he stated, “You should not speak out against it, should not protest, should not get high in education, should not aspire to hold a high position, and should not demand a share in the administration and power,” then continued, “Whether anyone has raised the voice of a coalition government in Tamil Nadu before or not. The party that raised the voice for a coalition government in 2016 is Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. Cabinet should be shared, not merely seat share but we need power share. I don’t know the history of whether previous organizations have discussed it… Power sharing is different from seat sharing. To ask for a seat in the cabinet is power sharing, and to participate in the coalition is ‘seat sharing’. Some 4 or 5 seats will be allocated in that, too, power comes individually. Power sharing means that I also want to share in the power.”
The party sparked controversy by inviting the opposition AIADMK to join its protest for a total ban on alcohol. Now, their chief Thirumavalavan has stirred the pot further within his DMK-led alliance by sharing a video of an old speech in which he demands seat sharing in the cabinet.
Meeting With Stalin
Thirumavalavan and other VCK leaders met with Chief Minister MK Stalin at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, to discuss several vital issues despite this tension. Later, when addressing the press, Thirumavalavan said that one of the main conversation points was the upcoming anti-liquor conference organized by the VCK on 2 October 2024 in Kallakurichi, which is set to advocate for total alcohol prohibition.
இன்று மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதல்வர் அண்ணண் தளபதி @mkstalin அவர்களை சந்தித்து "தமிழகத்தில் படிப்படியாக மதுவிலக்கை நடைமுறைப்படுத்த வேண்டும், அரசமைப்புச் சட்ட உறுப்பு எண் 47ன்-படி தேசிய மதுவிலக்கு கொள்கையை உருவாக்கிட ஒன்றிய அரசை வலியுறுத்த வேண்டும்" ஆகிய கோரிக்கைகளை முன்வைத்தேன். pic.twitter.com/m1k4lcgUu4
— Thol. Thirumavalavan (@thirumaofficial) September 16, 2024
He stated that his party was committed to ensuring prohibition and reminded Stalin that both DMK founder C.N. Annadurai and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had supported this cause. He added that he requested the DMK’s involvement in pushing for a national ban on liquor as per Article 47 of the Indian Constitution. Stalin reportedly reassured the VCK leader that DMK representatives would attend the 2 October 2024 conference and confirmed that the state government would consider implementing prohibition in a phased manner.
இன்று சென்னை அண்ணா அறிவாலயத்தில் மாண்புமிகு முதல்வர் அவர்களை சந்தித்த பின்னர் செய்தியாளர் சந்திப்பில்… pic.twitter.com/T3sn0ahPEz
— Thol. Thirumavalavan (@thirumaofficial) September 16, 2024
Despite the flagpole controversy, Thirumavalavan emphasized that there were no rifts between the VCK and the DMK, highlighting that their relationship remained smooth. He stressed that his party’s ideological stance on power-sharing would be addressed closer to the election. Still, he added that the anti-liquor conference should not be linked to electoral politics.
Thirumavalavan responding to the flagpole removal has sparked debate, with some questioning whether his decision to meet Stalin was a show of subordination or simply a strategic move. While he continues to advocate for prohibition and greater involvement in governance, his critics wonder if these meetings reflect a weakening of the VCK’s independent stance in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
(With inputs from The Week)