Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Tuesday said his party had so far received 10 kg of gold coins from seven centres including 1.5 kg from the Union Territory.
The MP had asked his party cadre and supporters to donate gold for his 50th birthday which fell on August 17 to enable the party to launch a television channel, newspaper and own a party office. A donation ceremony for the same was held on Tuesday. Addressing his partymen here on the occasion, Thirumavalavan said the VCK was in alliance with the UPA only to secure the rights of the Dalit community, adding that as a party, it cannot politically stand alone and hence the party is in alliance. “It is not for any individual benefit or post... Without an alliance the party cannot raise its voice for the Dalit community and help them secure their rights,” he said.
Thirumavalavan, however, clarified that despite being a part of the UPA alliance, VCK would not compromise on important issues. The party has already opposed the Centre on Eelam, FDI and several other issues in Parliament. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) V Narayanasamy said that the doors of the PMO would always remain open for Thirumavalavan despite his criticism of the Centre, adding that both Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held the VCK leader in high regard. Further, Narayanasamy expressed confidence that the Bill to provide reservation to Dalits in promotions for government jobs would be passed in Rajya Sabha in the next session.