Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan on Sunday avoided a direct response when asked about the possibility of PMK leader S. Ramadoss’s faction joining the DMK-led alliance for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
He said the decision is entirely up to the Stalin-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) leadership and not for him to declare.
Speaking to reporters at Tiruchy airport after arriving from Chennai, Thirumavalavan noted that one faction of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is already part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and any potential inclusion of another faction in the DMK alliance is a matter for the DMK to decide. He reiterated that the VCK, 14 years ago, decided against joining any coalition that includes both the PMK and the BJP.
Turning his criticism towards the AIADMK, Thirumavalavan said it could no longer claim leadership of the NDA and called its situation a major setback.
He also accused the BJP-led Union government of promoting Hindi imposition and cultural centralisation, which he said threatened India’s diversity.
Responding on actor-turned-politician Vijay, he said it was difficult to predict his stance on the BJP, as Vijay had not openly criticised the party despite several opportunities.