Made no effort to retain us: VCK chief blames DMK for party's exit from alliance

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan has blamed the DMK for his party’s exit from the alliance, saying the ruling party made little effort to retain its long-standing partner.

Speaking at a public meeting, Thirumavalavan said the VCK’s departure could not be viewed as a unilateral decision.

“Did we decide to leave the DMK alliance? The practical truth is that the DMK failed to make an effort to anchor us in the alliance, retain us or save the coalition,” he said.

He also questioned the DMK’s handling of its allies during seat-sharing negotiations.

“If the DMK had maintained a good relationship with the Congress, would it have left so quickly?” he asked, raising similar questions about the party’s negotiations with the Left.

Thirumavalavan also criticised the last-minute inclusion of the DMDK and the decision to allot it more seats.

“Would parties already in the alliance have been happy when their seats were reduced and a party that joined at the last moment was given an unexpectedly high number?” he asked.

The VCK later joined the TVK-led alliance along with the Congress, IUML and MDMK. The coalition formed the government in Tamil Nadu, and the VCK currently has a minister in Chief Minister Vijay’s Cabinet.

Thirumavalavan’s remarks came days after the TVK-led coalition was named the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance.

Visuals released after the announcement featured Vijay, Thirumavalavan, MDMK chief Vaiko and leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League.

The alliance’s name also carries a reference to the Chief Minister, with the word “Victory” translating to “Vijay” in Hindi.

The name was finalised after leaders of the Congress, VCK, MDMK and IUML attended a meeting at the TVK headquarters in Chennai on Wednesday.