After Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and calmed the rumours of a potential split between VCK and DMK, a comment made by a new entrant of VCK has once again brought the alleged political differences between the alliance partners to the fore.
Recent statements from VCK Deputy General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna have reignited speculations about the stability of the DMK-VCK alliance, raising tensions in Tamil Nadu's political circles. Aadhav Arjuna’s remarks also come at a time when Thol Thirumavalavan invited the AIADMK to attend the VCK’s upcoming alcohol prohibition conference.
Aadhav Arjuna's Controversial Remarks
Speaking in a television interview, Aadhav Arjuna claimed that the DMK cannot secure victories in Tamil Nadu’s northern districts without the support of the VCK. He stressed the significance of VCK’s vote bank in the region and questioned why Thirumavalavan had not been considered for the Deputy Chief Minister post, as reported by One India.
Arjuna’s remarks were widely seen as an indirect jab at DMK MP Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is speculated to be next in line for the Deputy CM role.
Arjuna’s statement further highlighted the broader issue of power-sharing within the DMK alliance, suggesting that leaders from other allied parties, including CPI(M)’s K. Balakrishnan and CPI’s Mutharasan, should also be given greater roles in governance.
DMK MP Raja Responds
DMK MP A Raja was quick to distance Thirumavalavan from Arjuna’s comments, expressing hope that the VCK leader would take a firm stand against his deputy’s remarks. Raja, a longtime ally of Thirumavalavan, emphasised the ideological unity between the DMK and VCK, both committed to combating communalism and promoting social justice.
He dismissed Arjuna’s views as those of a political newcomer unfamiliar with the deeper political ties between the two parties.
"I have known Thirumavalavan for 40 years, and his leftist principles are respected nationwide," Raja said, as per ABP Nadu, adding that Arjuna’s statement did not reflect the broader VCK position.
VCK Leadership's Reaction
Key leaders within the VCK, including MP Ravikumar and Deputy General Secretary Vanni Arasu, distanced themselves from Aadhav Arjuna’s comments. Ravikumar clarified that the alliance between the DMK and VCK is based on shared ideology rather than vote numbers. He reiterated that VCK’s electoral success in the 2019 general elections and subsequent state polls was also due to the alliance with DMK.
Vanni Arasu further emphasised that Aadhav Arjuna’s comments were his personal opinion and not reflective of the party's stance. He affirmed that the DMK-VCK partnership remains strong, and the alliance would continue into the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
While senior leaders from both DMK and VCK have played down concerns of a potential rift, Aadhav Arjuna's controversial statements have stirred up a conversation about power-sharing within the alliance.