Thirumavalavan declines invite to share stage with Vijay as it ‘may strain ties with DMK’- The Week

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder-leader Thol Thirumavalavan seems to have turned down an invitation to take part in the Ambedkar book launch along with actor-politician Vijay, scheduled to be held on December 6. Thirumavalavan has indicated his inability to participate in the event citing the current political situation, sources say.

According to sources in the event management team which is organising the book launch event, Thirumavalavan has declined to participate in the event and suggested that the event team organise separate events for him and Vijay, if they wish to.

The book on B.R. Ambedkar, titled ‘Ellorukkumana Thalaivar Ambedkar' is a compilation of articles written by Ambedkar, put together by VCK deputy general secretary Aadhav Arjun.

Arjun had recently stirred up a controversy when he spoke against the ruling DMK government and welcomed actor Vijay’s idea of a coalition government saying that the VCK was the first to moot the idea. He wrote this on X, immediately after Vijay announced that his party is open for a coalition government.

Arjun’s tweet and the political deliberations sparked rumours that the VCK is planning to quit the ruling DMK alliance and look for a new political formation in the state. However, Thorumavalavan immediately put to rest the talks about VCK’s shift from DMK alliance. He, however, did not decline his interest in participating in the event along with Vijay.

Two weeks later, now, after Thirumavalavan met the chief minister during an event in his constituency, sources in the VCK said that he will not participate in the book launch event as it might strain the VCK’s equations with the DMK. It is said that the DMK seniors had advised Thirumavalavan on the consequences and the optics of him sharing the dais with Vijay.

In fact, after the Villupuram event, M.K. Stalin in a letter to his party cadres had said: “I know the mind of my dear brother Thirumavalavan. He also shows true affection to me as an elder brother. He is aware of my resolute actions.”

Thirumavalavan had time and again for the past one month clarified that he will not quit the DMK alliance. The DMK’s decision to not accommodate Ramadoss’s PMK, which is VCK’s political rival, has also appeased Thirumavalavan, sources say.

On the other side, Thirumavalavan will take part in DMK’s third national conference of ‘All India Federation for Social Justice’, scheduled to be held in Delhi on December 3, along with the INDIA bloc partners.