Latest news with #Thol
Deccan Herald
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
VCK, Congress leaders oppose TNCC chief's pitch to include PMK in DMK alliance
VCK, a predominantly Dalit party led by Thol. Thirumavalavan has not seen eye-to-eye with the PMK for the past 15 years due to the latter's blatant anti-Dalit politics.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
After EC recognition, VCK uses victory rallies to reiterate importance of ideological commitment
After getting the status of an Election Commission-recognised political party, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has been organising 'victory celebrations' and rallies to drive home the importance of the achievement. With successful rallies in Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and, more recently, Chennai, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan, party general secretary D. Ravikumar, and DMK Ministers M.R.K. Panneerselvam and S.S. Sivasankar, among others, are set to participate in a public rally to be held in Chidambaram on May 6. Mr. Ravikumar said the party cadre, mostly comprising young people, needed to understand the history of the movement and its journey over the last 25 years. The party currently has four MLAs and two MPs 'In the 73 years of Tamil Nadu's electoral history, a political party founded by a Dalit has not received such a recognition despite the presence of big Scheduled Caste political leaders. They (other similar parties) couldn't sustain the momentum. Many of the cadre who join us today are young and new to the party. We are seeing the third generation of party cadre (over 25 years), and they have to understand the significance of the movement. Also, it is an opportunity to popularise the party's 'pot' symbol across Tamil Nadu,' he said. Mr. Ravikumar said the VCK can earn the trust of the electorate only by exhibiting a strong ideological commitment to social justice and secular values. 'Non-Dalit leaders such as Vijay [Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam] or Seeman [Naam Tamilar Katchi] don't have to work hard to win the trust of the larger electorate. But Dalit leaders have to win the trust of everyone,' he said. 'Ideological commitment and shunning of opportunism are necessary (for us) to earn the trust of the people. Only by gaining trust can we gain acceptance in society,' he said. While the significance of a grassroots movement of the Scheduled Caste community-turned-political party getting recognised by the EC 25 years after it began contesting elections is not lost on anyone, and perhaps justifies these public celebrations, the party leaders, however, say these rallies are to reiterate to its cadre that the fight is as much 'ideological' as it is 'electoral'. VCK Assembly floor leader Sinthanai Selvan admitted that there was now an added impetus for the VCK to continue its journey towards 'power', but said it had to be done cautiously. 'There is great pressure on us to keep these gains we have made electorally and improve on them. However, we must also keep in mind that we live in extraordinary times,' he said. 'It is an ideological war: it is a 2,000-year-old ongoing conflict between Varnashramam and Thiruvalluvar's 'Pirapokkum Ella Uriyukkum'. At this time, we cannot make compromises for electoral gains and allow the ideological sluice gates to be broken open,' Mr. Selvan added.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
War is not the answer, expose Pakistan diplomatically if involved in Kashmir attack, says Thirumavalavan
The recent terrorist attack in Kashmir should not escalate into a war between India and Pakistan, said Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, while addressing the media in Tiruchi on Friday. He stressed that if Pakistan's involvement was established, it should be exposed on the global stage through diplomatic channels, not through military action. 'India's strength should not be demonstrated through war. If Pakistan is indeed backing terror outfits, they must be isolated internationally. War is not the answer,' Mr. Thirumavalavan said. Commenting on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said the VCK's demand for his resignation over the Kashmir attack was not driven by political motive but it reflected the public anguish. He pointed out former Home Minister Shivraj Patil had stepped down following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. 'The BJP government repeatedly asserted that the abrogation of Article 370 would put an end to terrorism in Kashmir. They even encouraged tourism, assuring that the region was safe. Trusting these assurances, people travelled there, and the attack has shattered that claim,' he said. The VCK leader accused Governor R. N. Ravi of deliberately creating friction with the State government, particularly in the recent controversy over the Vice-Chancellors' conference. 'His conduct is not befitting his office,' Mr. Thirumavalavan said. He also announced that the VCK would hold a massive protest rally in Tiruchi on May 31 against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
