VCK chief Thirumavalavan opts out of polls, says want to protect DMK's alliance
The Lok Sabha MP also sought to dispel narratives that theorised that he only wanted to become an MLA so he could exploit any possible scenario involving a hung Assembly. The announcement came days after the VCK named Thirumavalavan its candidate from the Kattumannarkoil Assembly constituency.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief and Lok Sabha MP Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday announced that he won't be contesting the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. This came days after his party named him its candidate from the Kattumannarkoil constituency.
The VCK is headed to the forthcoming polls as a constituent of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which is led by Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK. Thirumavalavan framed his decision to pull out of the Assembly elections as a way to "ensure the unity of the DMK alliance".
"Today, if DMK is firm, VCK and Thirumavalavan are one important factor--not falling for any sweet talks and standing firm to protect the alliance," he stated.
The leader also sought to dispel narratives that theorised that he only wanted to become an MLA so he could exploit any possible scenario involving a hung Assembly.
"Several rumours were spread claiming that Thirumavalavan wants to become an MLA and seek power-sharing as he believes that a hung Assembly will be formed," he remarked.
"I'm firmly in the alliance and speak its politics," Thirumavalavan said. Launching a scathing attack at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the wider National Democratic Alliance (NDA), he asserted that the 2026 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu are not going to be a "regular general election" due to the "rising" influence of right-wing forces.
"The hands of the right-wing are rising. They are moving their pieces in a planned manner. For more than a year, the Sangh Parivar undertook every effort to weaken the Secular Progressive Alliance we are part of," Thirumavalavan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
VCK is contesting eight seats within the DMK-led combine. Voting in all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu are scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 23. The results are slated to be announced on May 4.
Elections 2026 | Tamil Nadu Election | Tamil Nadu Election Constituencies | Tamil Nadu Election Schedule
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief and Lok Sabha MP Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday announced that he won't be contesting the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. This came days after his party named him its candidate from the Kattumannarkoil constituency.
The VCK is headed to the forthcoming polls as a constituent of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which is led by Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK. Thirumavalavan framed his decision to pull out of the Assembly elections as a way to "ensure the unity of the DMK alliance".
"Today, if DMK is firm, VCK and Thirumavalavan are one important factor--not falling for any sweet talks and standing firm to protect the alliance," he stated.
The leader also sought to dispel narratives that theorised that he only wanted to become an MLA so he could exploit any possible scenario involving a hung Assembly.
"Several rumours were spread claiming that Thirumavalavan wants to become an MLA and seek power-sharing as he believes that a hung Assembly will be formed," he remarked.
"I'm firmly in the alliance and speak its politics," Thirumavalavan said. Launching a scathing attack at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the wider National Democratic Alliance (NDA), he asserted that the 2026 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu are not going to be a "regular general election" due to the "rising" influence of right-wing forces.
"The hands of the right-wing are rising. They are moving their pieces in a planned manner. For more than a year, the Sangh Parivar undertook every effort to weaken the Secular Progressive Alliance we are part of," Thirumavalavan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
VCK is contesting eight seats within the DMK-led combine. Voting in all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu are scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 23. The results are slated to be announced on May 4.
Elections 2026 | Tamil Nadu Election | Tamil Nadu Election Constituencies | Tamil Nadu Election Schedule
