Thirumavalavan urges all-party meet on Mekedatu, flags NEET deaths
Synopsis
VCK chief Thirumavalavan packed a wide-ranging political salvo on 22 June — demanding an all-party front on the Mekedatu dam, calling for constitutional action on NEET after student deaths, pressing for Assembly livestreams, and dismissing Annamalai's reported new party as BJP politics in disguise. It is a pointed signal to Chief Minister Vijay that the DMK's own allies expect faster, more visible action on multiple fronts.
Key Takeaways
Thirumavalavan urged the Tamil Nadu government on 22 June to convene an all-party meeting on the Mekedatu dam project proposed by Karnataka .
He called for legal and constitutional action against NEET , citing student deaths including a case from Salem allegedly linked to examination stress.
Thirumavalavan demanded that Chief Minister C.
Joseph Vijay focus on preventing honour killings, similar to the Singappen Special Task Force model for women's safety.
He urged live broadcast of Tamil Nadu Assembly proceedings in their entirety for greater public transparency.
The VCK leader alleged that former BJP Tamil Nadu chief K.
Annamalai's reported new party has backing from BJP and RSS circles and represents the same ideology.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan on 22 June called on the Tamil Nadu government to convene an all-party meeting to address the Mekedatu dam project proposed by Karnataka, while also raising urgent concerns over NEET-linked student deaths, honour killings, and political developments in the state.
Mekedatu Dam: VCK Demands Unified State Response
Thirumavalavan said the VCK was formally requesting the state government to bring all political parties to the table to deliberate on the implications of the proposed Mekedatu dam project in Karnataka. He noted that the Congress, while governing Karnataka, had demonstrated an understanding of Tamil Nadu's concerns, and that Congress leaders within Tamil Nadu had continued to cooperate with the state government on matters affecting its interests. The VCK leader's call signals growing pressure on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led government to adopt a more coordinated cross-party stance on the inter-state water dispute.
NEET Deaths: Thirumavalavan Calls for Legal Action
Expressing deep concern over student deaths allegedly linked to examination-related stress — including a reported case from Salem — Thirumavalavan urged the Tamil Nadu government to hold detailed consultations and explore every available legal avenue to challenge the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) system. 'The government should engage legal experts and political leaders and take appropriate steps to confront the issue through constitutional and legal means,' he said. Tamil Nadu has long opposed NEET, arguing it disadvantages students from state board backgrounds and has been linked to multiple student suicides in the state over the years.
Honour Killings and Women's Safety
Thirumavalavan described honour killings and violence against women as persistent social crises, alleging that even when such crimes are registered, adequate follow-through action is often absent. Drawing a parallel with the state government's recently constituted Singappen Special Task Force for addressing crimes against women, he called on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to direct similar focused attention toward preventing honour killings. He added that the VCK, along with its alliance partners, would soon submit a formal representation to the Chief Minister on the matter.
Other Demands: Assembly Transparency and AIADMK's Future
The VCK leader also urged Chief Minister Vijay to ensure that Tamil Nadu Assembly proceedings are broadcast live in their entirety — on the lines of Parliament proceedings — in the interest of public transparency and democratic participation. On the state of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Thirumavalavan reiterated his earlier position that the responsibility for the party's future lay with its General Secretary, K. Palaniswami, adding that recent developments had raised serious questions about the party's trajectory. 'The present condition of the AIADMK is worrying. The party's senior leadership should seriously reflect on the challenges it faces,' he said.
Annamalai's Reported New Party: VCK Sceptical
Commenting on former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai's reported plans to launch a new political outfit, Thirumavalavan alleged that the move appeared to have the backing of BJP and RSS circles. He claimed that regardless of how the new party chose to present itself, it would carry the same political ideology. 'Even if BJP politics is presented in a different form, the people of Tamil Nadu will recognise it and reject it,' he said. The VCK is a key constituent of the ruling DMK-led alliance in the state.
Point of View
Not just administrative machinery. The Mekedatu demand for an all-party meeting is tactically significant: it shifts accountability from the VCK to the DMK, which must now either convene or explain why it has not. On NEET, Tamil Nadu's legal options remain constrained by Supreme Court precedent, yet the political cost of silence keeps rising with every reported student death. The Annamalai commentary, meanwhile, reveals the VCK's calculation that a fractured opposition — however rebranded — is still manageable, so long as voters are reminded of its ideological roots.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Thirumavalavan calling for an all-party meeting on Mekedatu?
Thirumavalavan wants Tamil Nadu's political parties to present a unified front against the Mekedatu dam project proposed by Karnataka, which the state fears could affect its share of Cauvery river water. He noted that even the Congress, while in power in Karnataka, had shown sensitivity to Tamil Nadu's concerns.
What are the NEET concerns raised by the VCK?
The VCK has flagged deaths of several students, including one from Salem, allegedly linked to stress from the NEET examination. Thirumavalavan urged the Tamil Nadu government to consult legal experts and political leaders and pursue all constitutional and legal avenues to challenge the exam system.
What did Thirumavalavan say about honour killings?
He described honour killings as a long-standing social problem and alleged that adequate action is often not taken even after cases are registered. He urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to address the issue with the same focus as the Singappen Special Task Force on women's safety, and said VCK would submit a formal representation to the CM.
What is the VCK's position on K. Annamalai's reported new party?
Thirumavalavan alleged that Annamalai's reported plan to launch a new political outfit has the backing of BJP and RSS circles and that it would carry the same ideological character as the BJP. He predicted that Tamil Nadu voters would recognise and reject it.
What did Thirumavalavan say about the AIADMK?
He said the current condition of the AIADMK is worrying and that the party's senior leadership, particularly General Secretary K. Palaniswami, should seriously reflect on the challenges the party faces. He noted that recent developments had raised serious concerns about the party's future.
