A national-level solidarity between secular parties is the need of the hour to prevent the rise of dictatorial forces, said Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan, here on Thursday.
Mr. Thirumavalavan was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the party's district level consultations ahead of the VCK's State level Desam Kaapom Maanadu in December.
All secular allies including the DMK, Congress, the Left Front, Muslim League, MDMK are slated to participate. “Among the leaders, M.K. Stalin (DMK), Rahul Gandhi (Congress), Sudhakar Reddy and Sitaram Yechury of the Left Front, are participating in the conference. We expect Chandrababu Naidu to participate too.”
The Tiruchi conference will be a platform to organise, at the national level, all secular allies.
When asked about actor Rajnikanth’s comments about the consolidation of collective opposition to the BJP as a sign of BJP’s strength, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “There was a difference between strength and danger. When a snake enters a house, 10 people surround it to kill. That doesn’t imply the snake is stronger, but that implies it is dangerous and should not be allowed inside.”
According to him, the country has been polarised since the rise of the BJP. Rajnikanth is just not prepared to create any ruptures with the BJP yet since he hasn't even fully entered politics, said VCK leader.
There has been an increase in the crimes against women and particularly young girls.
Commenting on the gang rape and the death of the 16 -year-old tribal girl in Sitling here in Harur, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, the handling of the case showed lapses on multiple fronts.
The events showed there was an attempt to hush it up the crime by the officials, the police, and the callousness was also because the girl was from the tribal community, the VCK leader said.
“The girl should have been admitted as an inpatient, but that was not done. There was collective indifference from all ends and the government should act against all erring officials.”