DMK alliance remains intact: VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan

The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance was intact and the Congress’ demand for power sharing will be sorted out during negotiations with the DMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan affirmed here on Wednesday.

“The Congress will remain in the alliance and there need be no doubt over this. K.C.Venugopal [All India Congress Committee general secretary-organisation] too had said yesterday that the Congress remained in the DMK alliance and stressed that there was no confusion over this. The DMK alliance remains intact and will face the election cohesively,” he told journalists in Tiruchi.

Responding to a query, Mr.Thirumavalavan said the alliance will not break just because the Congress was demanding share in power. “There is nothing wrong in raising the demand. But Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has said it would not work in Tamil Nadu. The issue will be sorted out during negotiations. There is no problem in the alliance,” he said.

Asked whether the VCK would launch a protest seeking the eradication of liquor and narcotic substances, Mr.Thirumavalavan observed statistics indicated consumption of liquor and use of narcotic substances was on the rise across the country. “In Tamil Nadu, we wanted the gradual reduction and closure of the liquor shops. It is a matter of concern that there is no development in this regard. I remind the ruling DMK-government of this demand again. The State government should take intensive steps to curb and eradicate liquor and narcotic substances to protect the youths and the Tamil society. I request the DMK to declare this in its election manifesto too,” Mr.Thirumavalavan said.

Backing senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s statement that Mr.Stalin stood the best chance of consolidating the anti-BJP parties in the INDIA bloc, Mr.Thirumavalavan said: “I second his proposal.”

Meanwhile, VCK floor leader, Sinthanai Selvan, told The Hindu, “We have lot of clarity. For us, share in power means we want the people who are disadvantaged socially to attain political power. When VCK talks about sharing power, it is not the same as other parties. We aren’t just talking about being a part of the ministry. We are talking about giving people a real share in power. Today, we have ensured ₹1 lakh crore through law for subplans for scheduled castes. The State Government has recognised Iyothee Thass. Social and political power are not so different.”