Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan has reportedly refused to formally sever his party’s ties with the DMK-led alliance unless the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government fulfils a series of political and administrative demands, according to sources within the TVK, as reported in Dinamalar.
According to TVK functionaries, the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League initially extended unconditional support to the TVK government after it assumed office. Both parties subsequently joined the state Cabinet.
The sources further claimed that Thirumavalavan has been exerting pressure on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, through Minister Aadhav Arjuna, to reassign the Social Justice portfolio currently held by the VCK and allot a different ministry to the party.
Amid these developments, the TVK leadership is said to have urged its supporting allies, including the VCK, to officially withdraw from the DMK-led alliance in order to avoid what it viewed as a politically untenable dual alignment.
According to the TVK functionaries, the Congress, the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Indian Union Muslim League have since announced their exit from the DMK alliance.
However, the VCK has reportedly held back.
Sources said a meeting was recently held at Minister Aadhav Arjuna’s office in Poes Garden, Chennai, where Thirumavalavan and senior TVK leaders discussed the coalition issue at length. The discussions reportedly lasted for more than two hours.
During the meeting, Thirumavalavan is said to have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the VCK’s demands.
According to the TVK sources, Thirumavalavan reportedly told the leadership that none of the requests made by his party had been fulfilled. He is said to have pointed out that the VCK had been waiting for a long time for a change in its Cabinet portfolio but had not received any response from the Chief Minister.
The VCK leader also reportedly raised the issue of the forthcoming Trichy East Assembly by-election. According to the sources, he reminded the TVK leadership that he had already conveyed his intention to contest the seat but alleged that Chief Minister Vijay had yet to communicate a decision, even as the party had begun the candidate selection process.
In addition, Thirumavalavan reportedly sought important appointments to various government boards and corporations for the VCK.
According to the TVK functionaries, Thirumavalavan took a firm stand during the meeting, reportedly telling the leadership that the VCK would announce its formal exit from the DMK alliance only after its demands including the change of ministerial portfolio, clarity on the Trichy East by-election, and the allocation of key board positions were addressed.
The sources further claimed that Chief Minister Vijay personally spoke to Thirumavalavan over the phone in an attempt to resolve the matter, but the VCK leader did not soften his position.
According to the TVK functionaries, the growing list of demands relating to the Cabinet portfolio, the Trichy East by-election and appointments to statutory boards has reportedly surprised the Chief Minister.
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