While the VCK is recognised as a bulwark against casteism and the rise of right-wing forces, its fight against marginalisation and its quest for mainstream’s acceptance get tested in every election. The upcoming Assembly election is no exception. Amidst intensive campaigning for the DMK-led alliance while navigating all these electoral challenges, party chief and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan sat down with TNIE’s Krithika Srinivasan for an interview. Edited excerpts:
In a recent video, you said the VCK lacked the structuring and orientation for electoral politics. Why has it been unable to create a robust party structure even after 27 years since making debut in electoral politics?
Ours is a movement that began primarily in revolting against the injustice of caste discrimination. It is built on martyrs who lost lives and livelihoods fighting the gory face of casteism. Only in the recent past have we moved towards electoral politics actively with four MLAs and two MPs. So, we are still in our initial stages of learning the rules of electoral math. I am sure we will structure ourselves to be perfect in the near future.
You offered detailed explanations regarding choice of candidates and your decisions on contesting. We don’t see that often from other major parties. Is there any external pressure to do so?
We are in a huge alliance. We received eight seats, including two general constituencies, to contest [in upcoming Assembly election]. Within the party, the ambitions of cadre to participate are escalating with every election as they deem it an honour, regardless of results. I received about 2,050 applications from across the 234 constituencies.
We wanted to give a chance to people in a democratic way, which was questioned by those who did not get the opportunity and other party members, leading to debates among themselves on social media. Hence, I have a responsibility to answer them. I offered explanation to my party people and the public because I want to be accountable.
There has been criticism that the VCK and the Left did not do enough to address certain long-pending issues in the past five years.
We always stand with the people. There weren’t any compromises when it came to standing up for the people. Our protest against the labour law amendments played a crucial role in its withdrawal. Similarly, we supported the conservancy workers protest, the victims in the Vengaivayal issue, and stood with the affected people during other atrocities against Dalits. We fought both inside and outside the Assembly. So, all elected MLAs of the VCK will reflect people’s issues in the Assembly without showing any favouritism to the ruling party.
People of Vengaivayal and a few other Dalit residents of villages have announced a boycott of the elections in protest against alleged inaction of the DMK in issues of caste atrocities.
It is unavoidable. We have been voicing our support for their demands. We urge all other parties in our alliance also to stand with the people to ensure justice.
The VCK organised a conference on prohibition after the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. However, the party's 10-point manifesto for election does't mention prohibition.
That's right. We are editing the manifesto. We will release a revised one with a few more schemes added.
You have said that entering the Assembly has been an aspiration for long. Do you plan to work towards that?
Yes, that dream is always on.
What is the pulse you feel from campaigning across the state?
There is a positive response for the VCK from people of all communities. People remember the schemes of the DMK. We are reminding people that every vote for AIADMK is in fact a vote for the BJP. I am very confident that people will choose our alliance once again with overwhelming support.