Speculation that the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) could join Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and possibly enter the state Cabinet has triggered growing unease within the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), with the party making it clear that it will not remain in an alliance that includes the PMK, as reported in Junior Vikatan.
The developments come amid reports that the TVK leadership is exploring the possibility of securing the support of PMK’s four MLAs as it reassesses its dependence on the Communist parties for its government’s stability.
The TVK had announced the formation of the ‘Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance’ on September 9, bringing together the Congress, VCK, Communist parties and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). The alliance partners have been supporting the Vijay-led government, although the Communist parties have increasingly criticised the functioning of the government.
Against this backdrop, reports of back-channel discussions between the TVK and PMK have created tension within the VCK.
VCK Draws A Red Line On PMK
VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan said on September 30 that his party had maintained for years that it would not be part of an alliance containing both the BJP and PMK.
He alleged that the reports of PMK joining the TVK alliance were being deliberately spread to create confusion among VCK cadres and prevent the party’s votes from transferring to TVK candidates in the upcoming by-elections.
Thirumavalavan said the VCK had consistently maintained its opposition to joining an alliance with the BJP and PMK and would continue to stand by that position.
VCK leader and Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu subsequently reiterated that the party would never be part of an alliance with what he described as a caste-based political party such as the PMK and a communal force such as the BJP.
When Minister Rajmohan was asked about the VCK leaders’ statements and the possibility of PMK joining the alliance, he reportedly said that decisions on alliances would ultimately be taken by the party leadership.
According to people familiar with the developments, the statements from Thirumavalavan and Vanni Arasu effectively conveyed that the VCK would consider leaving the alliance if the PMK was brought into it.
TVK Exploring PMK Support?
Some TVK functionaries reportedly told The Commune that the party had initially expected the Communist parties to continue supporting the government, but their increasingly critical stance had led the leadership to reconsider the arrangement.
According to these functionaries, the TVK was exploring the possibility of obtaining the support of PMK’s four MLAs and subsequently bringing the party into the Cabinet.
They claimed that the TVK leadership believed it could attract Dalit votes without the VCK, while PMK’s presence could help the ruling party consolidate support among Vanniyars.
The functionaries further claimed that discussions with the PMK had already taken place behind the scenes.
They also alleged that PMK had initially been inclined to support the AIADMK in the Dharapuram and Madurantakam by-elections but had subsequently been persuaded to remain neutral.
According to them, the TVK was considering bringing PMK into the government after the by-elections and replacing the Communist parties in the governing arrangement.
They further claimed that there was a proposal to induct PMK MLA Sowmiya Anbumani into the Cabinet, potentially assigning her the Agriculture or Water Resources portfolio.
However, Sowmiya Anbumani has publicly dismissed reports that she was set to become a minister in the TVK government as baseless.
TVK Says It Can Govern Without VCK And Left Parties
On the possibility of the VCK leaving the alliance, the TVK functionaries reportedly claimed that the party was not concerned about the numbers.
They said the TVK planned to promote a political narrative that the DMK had historically placed Dalits and Vanniyars against each other for electoral gains, while the TVK could bring both communities together within the same political alliance.
According to their calculation, if the TVK won both the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections, it would have 109 MLAs. Combined with five Congress MLAs, four PMK MLAs and two IUML MLAs, the government would have a strength of 120 MLAs.
They claimed that this would allow the TVK government to continue even without the VCK and Communist parties.
VCK Sees PMK Move As Threat To Its Political Position
VCK functionaries, however, reportedly viewed PMK’s decision to remain neutral in the by-elections despite being part of the AIADMK alliance as a significant indication of possible negotiations with the TVK.
They said reports about PMK entering the TVK Cabinet had been circulating for nearly a week and that the TVK leadership had not issued a clear denial.
According to the VCK functionaries, the TVK was seeking PMK’s support both to consolidate the government and to strengthen its position among Vanniyars.
They argued that compromising on the VCK’s opposition to the PMK would damage the party’s political future.
They therefore interpreted Thirumavalavan’s statement as a clear warning that the VCK would leave the alliance if the PMK entered it.
View this post on Instagram
Political Analysts See Emerging Realignment
Political observers cited in the report said the TVK could be exploring a faster realignment because of two factors.
First, they said, the leadership may not want to remain dependent on the Communist parties, particularly amid their criticism of the government.
Second, they said the TVK may be concerned about the possibility of a post-by-election political realignment if the ruling party performs poorly in the two constituencies.
According to the observers, there was speculation that the DMK and AIADMK could explore an alternative arrangement if the TVK suffered a setback, potentially giving the PMK a role in such calculations.
They said bringing the PMK into the TVK camp could therefore serve as a way of strengthening the government and preventing such an alternative political equation from taking shape.
For the VCK, however, the reported negotiations have created a difficult choice: remain in a TVK-led government alongside the PMK or walk out in keeping with its long-standing opposition to an alliance with the party.
The PMK has meanwhile denied reports of an impending alliance with the TVK, leaving the reported back-channel negotiations without any formal confirmation from either party.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
