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The Hindu
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
In Tamil Nadu politics, too many players waiting in the wings
Though every election is important, the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are especially crucial, as they are likely to determine the future of many political parties in the State, including of the AIADMK, which is one of the two major Dravidian forces. Bipolarity in Tamil Nadu politics has traditionally kept the AIADMK and its rival, the DMK, alive and relevant, regardless of electoral outcomes. However, the losing party in 2026 may struggle to stay afloat, since many others are waiting in the wings. The DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has managed to hold its alliance together and maintain a relatively stable front since 2017. Its partners — the Left parties and the Congress — have little choice but to stick with the DMK because of ideological and strategic reasons. The presence of the BJP prevents them from switching sides or experimenting with other alliances. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol. Thirumavalavan, remains in the DMK-led alliance not only because of its opposition to the BJP, but also because any alliance that includes the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is unacceptable to it. Mr. Stalin has already started touring districts under the slogan 'Tamil Nadu under one front,' with the goal of enrolling 2 crore members. On the other hand, the AIADMK-led alliance remains in disarray. It is grappling with multiple issues, particularly of power-sharing after the elections. The BJP, driven by the single-minded agenda of breaking new ground in Tamil Nadu, often acts as if it leads the alliance and tries to dictate terms to the AIADMK. This has caused a lot of bitterness among the AIADMK rank and file. The PMK, a potential ally, is entangled in a family feud between its founder, S. Ramadoss, and his son Anbumani Ramadoss; this has created uncertainty about its political direction. No amount of persuasion has stopped Dr. Ramadoss from talking about internal disputes in public and projecting his son as his arch rival. Even if reconciliation occurs, the damage may be irreparable, as the war of words has already eroded unity in the second tier of leadership. As for the AIADMK, though former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is under pressure to forge a strong alliance to take on the DMK, he remains indecisive about reconciling with the faction led by another former Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam. In his calculations, V.K. Sasikala, the close aide of the late J. Jayalalithaa, and T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who leads his own party, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, do not seem to count. Mr. Palaniswami overlooks the fact that these factions still retain some support among a particular community in Tamil Nadu, even if that support is difficult to quantify. Both the AIADMK and the BJP are hoping that actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) will join them, although there have been no overtures from Mr. Vijay's side. Mr. Vijay aims to project himself as an alternative to the traditional political parties in Tamil Nadu. However, as of now, his party is no match to the DMK or the AIADMK in terms of organisational strength and financial clout. Mr. Vijay may garner a share of the vote, but is unlikely to emerge as a major challenge to either Dravidian party. While he is still young in politics, Mr. Vijay may fade into irrelevance if he fails to play his cards wisely. Another player is Seeman, the leader of the Naam Tamizhar Katchi, who has refused to align with any party. Seeking to mobilise voters on the Tamil nationalist plank, his party crossed the 8% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now qualifies as a recognised State party under the Election Commission of India's guidelines. Mr. Seeman seems determined to fight the Assembly elections on his own, but he may find it difficult to stay relevant unless he wins seats. The overcrowded political landscape poses a serious challenge to both the DMK and AIADMK. Neither can afford to lose these elections. The DMK is attempting to capitalise on its record of fulfilling electoral promises and maintaining a cohesive alliance. The AIADMK, once a formidable force, has not yet mobilised effectively to take advantage of the anti-incumbency factor that even the best performing governments face. It is unclear whether anti-incumbency will benefit the AIADMK or Mr. Vijay. Even if Mr. Vijay succeeds, that may help the DMK, as it will prevent the AIADMK from gaining the edge that it desperately needs.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Dad acting like a child due to old age, ties with BJP had his nod: Anbumani
CHENNAI/VILLUPURAM: In perhaps the first open reproach against the recent actions of PMK founder S Ramadoss, party president Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday said his father has become a child in the past five years due to old age. According to party sources, Anbumani, who spoke candidly at a closed-door meeting of the party's social media functionaries in Sholinganallur, refuted his father's claims that the decision to ally with the BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha election was taken without his full knowledge. 'If Ayya had expressed a preference for joining the AIADMK-led alliance, I would have honoured that decision too,' Anbumani reportedly said, while stressing that the alliance with BJP was formed after Ramadoss's approval. Without taking names, he also accused three individuals of 'taking advantage' of his father at the moment for their personal gains and steering the party in the wrong direction by creating confusion.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
VCK won't ally with BJP or PMK: Thiruma
Trichy: VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan has said his party will not get into an alliance comprising BJP and PMK. Criticising the 'ambiguity' surrounding the BJP- AIADMK alliance, the MP told reporters in Trichy that the AIADMK must be cautious. "BJP leaders say it's a BJP or NDA alliance while AIADMK says it's led by AIADMK. There is still no clarity on whether it is an AIADMK-led alliance or a BJP-led alliance. Only AIADMK and BJP are said to be in it. Are PMK and DMDK not part of it," he asked. "We have no bitterness about AIADMK forming an alliance with BJP, but our request is that AIADMK should be cautious." He said his party would not ally with BJP or PMK under any circumstance. Asked whether VCK would remain in the DMK alliance if PMK were to join, he said he would respond to such a situation if it arises. On the drug case against actor Srikanth, the VCK leader said it was shocking. "The state govt should take action against these drugs being used. We must save the youngsters," he said. On seat sharing, he said, "Our cadres are committed to the alliance and will stand with the DMK regardless of seat numbers. We expect fair negotiations this time," he said. He said the Muruga devotees' conference was more of a 'Modi devotees' meet.'
The Print
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Political prudence or just pressure? DMK allies turn up heat over seat-sharing before Tamil Nadu polls
While Thirumalavalan played it down as just a friendly meeting, Vaigaichelvan said the meeting marked the beginning of the unravelling of the DMK-led alliance. VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, who has been pressing for more seats, went a step further, meeting opposition AIADMK MLA and former minister Vaigaichelvan who visited him at his residence on 16 June. Chennai: With assembly elections in Tamil Nadu just about 10 months away, allies of the ruling DMK in the state including the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have started mounting pressure on the senior partner to give them more seats to contest the polls. 'The DMK alliance has developed cracks and it is just the beginning. You will see more parties having discussions with the AIADMK,' Vaigaichelvan told reporters in Chennai on 18 June when asked about the meeting. Hours later, addressing a public meeting in Madurai, Thirumavalavan said while VCK is not averse to the idea of joining the AIADMK-led alliance, 'the alliance also has BJP and the PMK, which would not go well with us.' 'VCK will not be part of any alliance where BJP and the PMK are there,' he declared. Thirumavalavan and CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam have said on multiple occasions that they would definitely demand more seats from DMK. CPI state secretary P. Mutharasan told ThePrint they too want more seats. 'But, demanding and negotiating the seats are supposed to happen discreetly between parties. It should not be discussed with the media like how other alliance partners are doing,' he said. Asked about it, DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan said it was for Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to decide who gets how many seats in the alliance. 'Our leader will not let anybody be unhappy in the state. Alliance leaders will also be treated in the same manner.' In the 2011 assembly elections, DMK contested 119 of the 234 seats. Its ally Congress was given 63 seats, while VCK and CPI were allocated 10 each, and the CPI(M) 12. While CPI won one seat with a vote share of 1.49 percent, CPI(M) didn't win any, though it did corner 2.22 percent votes. The Congress managed to win five seats with a vote share of 9.31 percent percent, while VCK won two seats with a vote share of 1.51 percent. In the 2016 assembly elections, VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and other parties formed a third front and contested separately but did not secure any seat, and their vote percentage was also under one percent. The Congress, which was part of the DMK-led alliance, contested 41 seats and won eight, securing 6.42 percent votes. In 2021, VCK, CPI and CPI(M) contested the assembly elections as DMK allies and were allotted six seats each. While CPI and CPI(M) won two seats each, VCK won four. The Congress contested 25 seats and won 18, securing 4.29 percent votes, compared to CPI(M)'s 1.13 percent, CPI's 1.10 percent and VCK's 1.01 percent. Also Read: Stalin's face front & centre, I-PAC hits ground running to shape DMK campaign for 2026 polls 'Just a pressure tactic' Political analyst P. Sigamani told ThePrint it was just a pressure-building tactic by smaller parties so they can bargain a better deal during seat-sharing talks with senior allies. But it would not have any bearing on the larger alliance. 'The DMK-led alliance is a tested and proven alliance that would win the elections, be it parliament or assembly or even the local body. Hence, there is no chance of the alliance breaking. But, these demands in public would give them a leverage to (potentially) get more seats in the upcoming assembly election,' Sigamani told ThePrint. 'If political parties that have increased their vote share and their presence over the years and they demand more seats, it would definitely help the alliance. But, if parties like the Congress demand more seats, it would have an impact in securing a majority in the assembly,' Sigamani said, recalling the past performance of the Congress party. In the 2011 polls, the Congress won just five of the 63 seats it contested. In the 2016 polls, the Congress was allotted 41 seats and it won eight. In the 2021 assembly elections, the Congress was allocated 25 seats and it won 18 seats. 'We have also increased our presence in the state,' Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K. Selvaperunthagai told ThePrint. 'Unlike in previous elections, we have proved our support base in the last two Lok Sabha elections and in the 2021 assembly election as well. So, we would definitely demand for more seats to contest, and the numbers will be decided by the national leadership.' VCK general secretary Sinthanai Selvan said it was the need of the hour to strengthen the alliance to achieve the larger goal of protecting the country. 'We are part of the DMK alliance not just for the seats and power, but, for a larger cause of saving the nation from the Hindutva forces,' he told ThePrint. 'In the journey to protect the country, it is also essential to strengthen ourselves to fight Sanatan forces. So, demanding more seats to contest is natural to strengthen our own party.' He, however, added the demand would not be at the cost of the DMK-led alliance. Shanmugam also told ThePrint seat-sharing talks would not be at the cost of the alliance, but it would only aim at strengthening his party and its representation in the assembly. 'The representation of the Marxist at the state and national level has been dwindling for years. And as a party, we want to increase our presence in assembly in accordance with our increase in presence on the ground,' he said, adding that they do not have any number in mind for now, but would decide at the time of seat-sharing talks with DMK. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: How smaller TN parties are bolstering bargaining power to extract more from senior partners in 2026
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
AIADMK alliance still shapeless and BJP trying to gain foothold through religion, says Thirumavalavan
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan on Friday contended that the AIADMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu remains 'shapeless'. In his view, Union Home Minister Amit Shah's second visit to the State (within two months), is part of an attempt to give the alliance some structure ahead of Assembly election. Speaking to the media persons ahead of the party's rally to be held in Tiruchi on June 14, Mr. Thirumavalavan criticised the BJP's religious outreach, including events such as the Murugan devotees' conference, stating that such religion-oriented politics should not be allowed to take root in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Thirumavalavan reaffirmed the party's commitment to the DMK-led front but insisted that coordination and seat-sharing must reflect mutual respect. 'No party should dominate or dictate terms. We have long demanded a share in governance, but this is not the moment to emphasise that,' he said. Responding to questions on TASMAC liquor outlets, Mr. Thirumavalavan reiterated the party's consistent stand that all State-run liquor shops must be shut permanently.
