VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan Monday said his party and the PMK would continue to be with the ruling DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in Tamil Nadu.
‘The policies of the VCK and the PMK are more or less the same on most issues and we expect to be on the same political grouping,’ Thirumavalavan told reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
‘I am thankful to Chief Minister Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) for having accorded us proper political recognition by saying that the policies of the VCK and DMK are the same on various issues including that of ethnic Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, an egalitarian, casteless society and equitable distribution of wealth,’ Thirumavalavan said.
He skirted questions about the Congress opposing the PMK’s inclusion and VCK’s continuation in the DPA, saying: ‘One should remember that the PMK continues to be part of the UPA at the centre and we are part of the DPA here. The Congress is part of both,’ Thirumavalavan added.
The VCK leader said his party will contest from the Chidambaram Lok Sabha constituency.
The PMK had exited the DPA last year and canvassed for a Left-sponsored no-confidence motion against the DMK government here.
Some Congress leaders have been demanding the ouster of the VCK from the DPA after their cadres were assaulted late last year by Thirumavalavan’s supporters over what they termed as the central government’s alleged collaboration with the Sri Lankan regime in its attacks on the Tamil Tigers in the island.
However, PMK founder leader S. Ramadoss has not said anything about being with the DPA. He was not available for comment.
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