The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) continue to haemorrhage allies and legislators to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam,
with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi now appearing poised to become the latest constituent to formally snap ties with the opposition bloc.
The fresh buzz gathered pace on Tuesday after VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan publicly reaffirmed his party’s backing for the Vijay government, saying all parties that had extended support remained committed to ensuring its stability.
“As far as we are concerned, all the parties that offer support are unlikely to go back on their word,” he said, specifically naming the VCK, the Left parties and the Indian Union Muslim League.
The developments come within 24 hours of former AIADMK minister and Karur MLA M.R. Vijayabhaskar resigning from the Assembly and joining Vijay’s TVK camp, marking the sixth legislator from the party to switch sides.
Referring to the Congress, Thirumavalavan said the party had gone beyond merely extending support and had formally joined the ruling alliance. The Left parties, he added, continued to back the government from outside and had repeatedly expressed their desire that the administration complete its full five-year term.
“The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi also holds the same stance. Therefore, I strongly believe that this government will successfully operate for five years without any hindrance,” he said.
Asked about reports surrounding the VCK’s political future, Thirumavalavan declined to pre-empt any announcement, saying, “We’ll only know after going and talking there, right? I can’t just say that beforehand.”
Tea Party Before The Plot?
He confirmed that the VCK had been invited to a tea meeting hosted by the TVK and said he would attend along with party MP D. Ravikumar, MLAs Vanniyarasu and Jothimani, and General Secretary Sinthanai Selvan.
The remarks come amid reports that the VCK is preparing to formally walk out of the DMK-led alliance. Broadcaster NDTV reported, citing sources, that Thirumavalavan is expected to announce the party’s exit later on Tuesday before participating in the TVK-hosted meeting, which is being viewed as an effort by Vijay to further consolidate support around his government.
The VCK has already been extending outside support to the TVK administration ever since the Assembly election delivered a fractured verdict. On its electoral debut, Vijay’s party emerged as the single largest force with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling just 10 short of the halfway mark. Support from the Congress, the VCK, the Left parties and the IUML ultimately enabled the actor-turned-politician to cross the majority mark and form the government.
Camp Vijay Keeps Growing
What began as legislative support has since snowballed into a wider political realignment.
The Congress formally severed ties with the DMK in early May before joining the Vijay government. The Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) subsequently distanced themselves from the opposition alliance while continuing outside support to the government. The IUML formally exited the DMK-led front on June 20, and just last week, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, led by Vaiko, also walked out of the alliance despite its decades-old association with the DMK.
At the same time, the AIADMK has witnessed a steady exodus of legislators to the ruling camp. Six MLAs, including former ministers Dr. C. Vijayabaskar and M.R. Vijayabhaskar, have resigned their Assembly seats and aligned themselves with the TVK, shrinking the principal opposition party’s strength in the Assembly.
The developments have prompted repeated attacks from the DMK, which has accused the Vijay government of indulging in “horse-trading” despite promising clean politics before the election. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has mocked what he described as “another day, another resignation”, while questioning the induction of leaders facing corruption cases. The DMK has also alleged that the TVK is engaging in “washing machine politics” by politically rehabilitating defectors after they switch camps.
