Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan revealed that he had earlier questioned why a criminal case was not filed against TVK chief and Chief Minister Vijay over the Karur stampede, even as he is now part of the government and alliance led by Vijay.
Speaking at the wedding of a VCK functionary, Thirumavalavan questioned the alleged leniency shown towards Vijay following the Karur tragedy, arguing that those who could be held accountable for the stampede should have been included in the case.
“Did I or did I not say that a case should be filed against Vijay regarding the Karur incident? Why wasn’t a case filed? Why did you adopt a lenient approach? What was the hesitation to file a case against him?” he asked.
Thirumavalavan also alleged that Vijay’s delayed arrival had contributed to the gathering of the crowd and the subsequent stampede.
“He arrived late—he delayed his arrival deliberately. That is precisely why a crowd gathered and a stampede ensued. Since the stampede was the cause of the deaths, shouldn’t everyone who could be held accountable for it have been included in the case?” he said.
He further questioned whether Vijay’s political position should have been challenged immediately after the incident.
“It is this very approach that is the root cause. Should Vijay’s politics have been exposed right then and there, or not?” Thirumavalavan said.
The VCK chief then recalled how he had personally attacked Vijay’s political positioning when the latter was emerging as a major political force.
“When Vijay was speaking very harshly, targeting both you and the DMK, a counter-narrative should have been articulated against him. You ask who spoke about him—well, I did. I called him the “child of the RSS.” Back then, I had no faith in him; so, how did that trust develop now?” he asked.
Thirumavalavan also pointed out the contradiction in Vijay seeking VCK’s support despite his earlier political positioning.
“He didn’t seek support from the AIADMK, the PMK, the BJP, or the Congress; instead, he sought support from Thirumavalavan. We criticized him, asking, “How can you, someone labeled the ‘child of the RSS’—join hands with Thirumavalavan?” But one could turn around and ask you the same thing: Thirumavalavan called you the “child of the RSS,” yet here you are seeking his support—is that appropriate?”
He maintained that it was Vijay who approached the VCK for support and not the other way around.
“He was the one who came to us; we didn’t go to him. He was the one who needed the support, not us. So, his stance is the one that is shifting; as for us, we remain consistent in our position,” Thirumavalavan said.
Explaining how the VCK eventually came to support Vijay’s government, Thirumavalavan recalled that he had initially expected Vijay to form the government with the AIADMK or the National Democratic Alliance.
“I believed you were going to form the government with the support of the AIADMK. I thought you would form the government with the backing of the National Democratic Alliance. We never expected you to come towards us; you had been showing closeness to the Congress. I was completely taken aback; it came as a shock to me.”
According to Thirumavalavan, Vijay’s decision to accept Congress support was what eventually prompted him to reconsider his position.
“The BJP does not spare any party that is close to the Congress; they target them and exert pressure on them. Yet, you boldly accepted Congress support. I was shocked. That was when I realized you had made a bold decision.”
However, he said he continued to have reservations about Vijay’s political intentions.
“However, I had some reservations; I wondered if this move was intended to isolate the DMK or if forces like the RSS were operating in the background.”
Thirumavalavan said the VCK subsequently decided to follow the Left parties’ position, citing the need to prevent President’s Rule and to keep secular parties together.
“They took the stance of supporting the Congress to prevent the imposition of President’s Rule, and we adopted the same position. The Left extended their support, and we did so as well, for two specific reasons.”
He said the first reason was to prevent BJP rule through President’s Rule, while the second was to ensure that the VCK remained part of an alliance with the Congress and Left parties.
The VCK leader also explained why he insisted that the word “secular” be included in the alliance’s name, arguing that “social justice” had become too broad a political term.
“He argued that if the word ‘secular’ wasn’t used, critics might perceive a wavering in the anti-BJP stance, suggesting a reluctance to oppose the BJP.”
According to Thirumavalavan, the alliance was ultimately formed as a “secular alliance for social justice”, with the VCK joining forces with Vijay despite the sharp criticism and serious questions he had previously raised against him.
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