There’s no justification in seeking power-sharing now, says VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan in an interview with Jaya Menon and Julie Mariappan. “The VCK contests only a few seats, insufficient for a coalition govt. We can think of it only when the (alliance) leadership weakens.” Toning down his power-sharing demands, he says VCK will not engage with Edappadi K Palaniswami’s AIADMK or Vijay’s TVK, despite sharing a platform with the latter for an Ambedkar book release on December 6. “We were co-founding members of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) and the INDIA Bloc. There is no question of quitting this alliance.”
Where do you stand as a dalit leader?
There is a perception that I represent the Paraiyar community. I deny this. I started this organisation for the people of TN. My work goes beyond TN, for SC/STs, OBCs, minorities, and marginalised sections in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and the rest of the country. I never say I am only for a particular community or caste. I am for the people, for the country.
Are you happy with how VCK has evolved politically in the past 25 years?
While our rise may not match our growth, we've gained recognition from the Election Commission. For 10 years, we focused on a socio-cultural movement against caste dominance and exploitation, rather than electoral politics. We've seen political success, but didn't receive the recognition we deserve. Our bargaining power is low. We contest seats in single digits. Only in 2011 did we contest in 10 seats in an alliance with DMK. Now, we have two MPs and got ECI recognition. We are happy, but not content.
New rivals, including Vijay's TVK, are fighting for a share of the Dalit vote bank.
Vijay may run fast, but we have covered a great distance. He will not pose a problem or be a competitor. Our roots spread to social and cultural areas. Electoral politics is not our prime agenda.
VCK functionary Aadhav Arjuna raised the issue of power sharing. Isn't it the goal of political existence?
It is not a new slogan. In 1999, during the Lok Sabha elections, we just entered electoral politics. Our demand was, ‘Kadasi manithanukkum jananayagam; eliya makkalukkum athigaram (Democracy for the last man and power for the downtrodden)' and ‘Aatchiyilum pangu, Athigarathilum pangu' (share in govt, share in power). We can't capture power, we can only share it. Until we turn into a political force, we can't demand even a share in power. Only if I can help transfer votes in the alliance, will I be seen as a political force.
Will you demand more seats in the 2026 poll?
We got recognition from EC but we have not proved our vote bank yet across TN. Since we contest only a few seats, they show a 2% vote share. How can we demand power sharing? In TN's northern belt, out of 70 constituencies, I am allocated only four. For the remaining 60, I transfer my votes to allied party candidates. Only if I contest in more seats will my vote percentage increase.
Won't the alliance leader help?
Only when the alliance leadership weakens, like say, with a leadership crisis or when the opposition votes consolidate against it, will it concede. Such a situation has not arisen in TN yet.
What if you shifted to AIADMK's side?
There is no proof they will win if we go with them. Just like Vijay's TVK, which is unproven.
Are you categorically ruling out an alliance with AIADMK or TVK?
We are with the Secular Progressive Alliance led by DMK. There is no requirement to come out.
What about the December 6 event, when you will be sharing a dais with Vijay?
A year ago, I agreed to attend a programme where CM M K Stalin would release a book on B R Ambedkar, and I'd receive the first copy. Recently, I learned Vijay might attend instead. Sharing a platform with a party leader at a book release doesn't imply an alliance.
How would you rate the success of your prohibition conference and Vijay's state-level meet in Vikravandi?
A film personality cannot make big changes. The MGR era was different as there was less political awareness. Today, popularity isn't enough to form a govt. A party needs 35% of votes, which is difficult to achieve instantly; even MGR took 15 years. Vijayakanth struggled after his initial solo election. Jayalalithaa became CM through MGR votes. She did not float a party, emerge a leader, or capture power. The party was established and strong. Later, she established herself as the fittest leader and that is how she could sustain. Vijay could have held a conference with the north as a focal point. But there won't be any impact. You cannot woo the committed voters of DMK, AIADMK, or left, no matter how many parties are floated.
You say Vijay's remarks on dynasty politics and corruption are old slogans.
Dynasty is prevalent in cinema too. Vijay the actor did not arrive on his own. His father is a director. You talk about dynasty politics and corruption repeatedly for 50 years, but people accept them and cast votes for the sixth term.
There is a Dravidam vs Tamil nationalism fight. Your view?
Tamil nationalism evolved from Dravidian ideology akin to a child from a mother. Each can live separately but mother and child are alike.
AIADMK leaders say there is a secret deal between DMK and BJP.
They say it for politics. Let them prove it.
Are you open to an AIADMK alliance?
There is no need to quit to form a new alliance. I am among the founder-members of the DMK-led SPA and Congress-led INDIA bloc.
Have successive govts done enough for Dalit welfare? VCK cadres protested restrictions on installing flag posts in some places.
The grievances cannot be resolved in a regime. It will continue if I become CM too. I am pained (over flag posts being disallowed). Even if I don't want this alliance for these reasons, and move on to another, the problem will persist.
You say PMK is a caste party and would never join hands.
We have decided not to join any alliance that includes BJP or PMK.
Is caste politics being nurtured in TN?
PMK founder S Ramadoss established a caste culture. He formed the Vanniyar Sangam, which used violence and electoral pressure to get reservations. He introduced the practice of hoisting two flags: the Vanniyar Sangam flag for caste and the PMK flag for politics. This has influenced others to turn caste groups into political entities. While using caste surnames is common in other regions, it is reemerging in TN after being discouraged since the Periyar movement, contributing to the divide between Dalits and non-Dalits.
Will the DMK-VCK alliance continue to be firm in the 2026 assembly election?
It is unquestionable. There is no situation now that warrants sharing of power. But that does not mean that we have abandoned our demand. It remains one of our core principles. We will soft-pedal until we strengthen ourselves.
Why do you say Vijay's offer on power sharing should be a last weapon in the political spectrum as demand already exists?
He is ready to share power, demonstrating a generous and democratic approach. But there is a way to do it. These are to be discussed privately and disclosed publicly upon finalisation. For instance, if PMK is ready to join hands with Vijay, we won't go. Can Seeman be in an alliance in which AIADMK is an ally? TVK is a new party. How could a party of 25 years be a junior partner? Seeman has been in politics for 15 years, we have been for 25 years, PMK 35 years. Which party will align with him? Will they be a junior partner to him? These are issues to be sorted out. When it is openly declared without speaking all these, it is like an offer, a commercial approach. Like a discount.