DMK Displeased with VCK's Seat Demand Ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

Chennai, Dec 24 (NationPress) The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu has shown its discontent over a recent assertion made by a senior member of its ally, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), who is calling for 25 seats in the upcoming 2026 state Assembly elections. In an interview with a Tamil news channel, VCK's Deputy General Secretary, Vanni Arasu, stated that party members are anticipating 25 seats to contest in the forthcoming elections.

During the 2021 Assembly elections, the VCK was allocated only 10 seats by the DMK.

The VCK, recognized as a Dalit political party, possesses considerable grassroots influence in numerous Assembly constituencies throughout the state.

A senior DMK official, who chose to remain anonymous, informed IANS that the persistent demands from VCK were fostering tension within the alliance.

He further mentioned that Thol Thirumavalavan, the founder-leader of VCK, should take decisive action against such “irresponsible” remarks well ahead of the election campaign.

This incident is not the first instance of a statement from a VCK leader stirring controversy in Tamil Nadu politics. Earlier, former Deputy General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna had requested a share of power within the state government, a demand that did not resonate well with the DMK.

It's important to note that neither of Tamil Nadu's major Dravidian parties - DMK or AIADMK - has ever shared power with their coalition partners.

After his remarks, Aadhav Arjuna was suspended from the VCK by Thirumavalavan and subsequently resigned from the party.

The latest comments from Vanni Arasu have led the DMK to adopt a more cautious stance. Senior leaders have urged the VCK leadership, including Thol Thirumavalavan and D. Ravikumar, both Members of Parliament, to implement strict measures against party members who overstep their boundaries.

Another senior DMK leader remarked to IANS, “The VCK leadership must keep leaders like Arasu in check from making comments that contravene coalition principles.”

He suggested that such remarks from VCK leaders could be a way to assess the DMK's reaction. In a media statement on Tuesday, Thol Thirumavalavan clarified that Arasu's comments represented his personal views and did not reflect the party's official position.

The VCK leader also mentioned that discussions regarding seat-sharing would occur only during negotiations, and that no preconditions regarding seat numbers would be established.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that AIADMK has publicly invited the VCK to join its ranks for the 2026 elections.

The BJP has similarly shown interest in bringing the influential Dalit party into its alliance. Election analyst M. K. Chilambarasan, based in Coimbatore, commented, “The VCK is a formidable Dalit political entity, and Arasu's statement seems to be a calculated strategy. He is an experienced leader, and this could be a deliberate attempt to gauge the situation. We may witness considerable changes in Tamil Nadu politics in the near future, with the VCK playing a pivotal role.”

While the DMK questions the motives behind Arasu's statement, some senior leaders within the VCK also express skepticism regarding the timing and relevance of such expectations being aired 18 months prior to the elections.