VCK tries to pre-empt TVK’s potential bid to rope in PMK

In a bid to pre-empt any possibility of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam roping in the Pattali Makkal Katchi, which has four MLAs, into the ruling ‘Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance’, its ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi has warned it would sever ties in such an eventuality. However, the PMK, which chose to stay neutral in the recent bypolls to Madurantakam and Dharapuram, that led to speculations about it keeping future political options open, has outright rejected the possibility saying it was firmly with the National Democratic Alliance.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu, on Sunday declared that the VCK would quit the TVK alliance if the PMK was inducted. “We will not be a part of any alliance which has the PMK or the Bharatiya Janata Party,” he said at the ‘Tamil Nationalist Uprising’ conference organised by the party in Tindivanam.

On the occasion, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan launched a sharp attack against the PMK, the Naam Tamilar Katchi and the BJP. He rejected the analysis that Vanniyar community votes (which favoured the PMK) went to the TVK in Madurantakam. He also suggested that the DMK, which came second in the bypolls, nevertheless needs a “vaathiyaar” (master) who could give them the “extra marks” to ensure they pass the exam.