Thol Thirumavalavan defended the decision of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi to support the government led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and stated that the move was taken independently after extensive internal deliberations within the party.
Responding to criticism and speculation surrounding the decision, Thirumavalavan said electoral strategies and political alignments are shaped by prevailing political circumstances and practical considerations rather than rigid ideological positions alone.
He pointed out that the VCK had previously worked alongside several major political formations, including alliances involving the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Left parties, suggesting that the latest decision should be viewed within the broader context of electoral politics and coalition-building in Tamil Nadu.
“I have worked for the strengthening of the party ahead of elections. There have been many malicious attempts to malign that I have weakened the party. I have not done it even once and have shown it by actions,” Thirumavalavan said while responding to allegations from critics and political opponents.
The VCK leader explained that he had initially maintained a cautious position regarding participation in the new government and had originally indicated that the party would only support the formation of the administration without directly joining the cabinet.
However, according to him, repeated appeals and pressure from party cadre eventually forced him to reconsider that stand after TVK extended an invitation to VCK to become part of the cabinet.
“It was the decision of our party cadre to be part of the cabinet. My party cadre sent me WhatsApp messages asking me to reconsider that decision and accept TVK’s invite to be part of the cabinet,” he stated.
Thirumavalavan said the final decision was not taken casually or unilaterally but emerged after lengthy internal discussions within the party leadership and organisational structure.
According to him, the VCK leadership held discussions for more than two hours before arriving at a final conclusion regarding the issue.
“We discussed it for more than two hours in our internal meeting. Then conveyed and explained it to alliance leader MK Stalin. We decided to make the formal announcement post that,” he said.
The VCK chief also rejected speculation suggesting that his party had formally entered into a political alliance with TVK.
“We are not in any alliance. We are not in a TVK alliance,” he clarified.
He stressed that the decision to either support or refuse support to any political formation remained entirely within the rights of VCK as an independent political party.
“To support or not to support is our independent decision and right. Many from outside speculated the reason for our delay and ran a malicious campaign against us. No one has the right to taint our integrity,” Thirumavalavan added.
His remarks come amid growing political debate in Tamil Nadu over shifting alliances, caste equations, and electoral calculations ahead of future elections, particularly after the emergence of TVK as a new political force under actor-turned-politician Vijay.
The VCK’s support to the TVK-led government is being closely watched because the party holds significant influence among Dalit voters and has historically played an important role in alliance politics within Tamil Nadu.
Political observers believe the development reflects broader realignments underway in the state’s political landscape as parties attempt to reposition themselves ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
Thirumavalavan’s repeated emphasis on cadre pressure and internal democratic consultation also appeared aimed at countering allegations that the party leadership had compromised ideological independence or weakened the VCK’s political identity by extending support to the new government.
The controversy has additionally intensified political discussions regarding the future relationship between VCK, DMK, and emerging regional formations like TVK as Tamil Nadu’s political equations continue to evolve rapidly.
