CHENNAI: Having learnt a bitter lesson that commitment to a particular alliance does not guarantee respect or bargaining capacity in poll alliances, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan is planning to work closely with the Left parties, which is likely to develop into a political alliance at the ‘right time’.
The remarks made by the VCK leader at the function organised by the party to present the Ambedkar Award gave ample indications that he is working to join hands with the Left parties and unite Dalits and minorities on a common platform.
At the function, attended by veteran Communist leader R Nallakannu, who was one of the award recipients, he appealed to the Left parties to work for uniting the Dalits and minorities to fight ‘casteist and communal forces’. As the appeal comes after the Left parties’ decision at their State committee meetings to lead a front on their own, it is a clear indication that VCK is drifting away from the DMK.
Commenting on the remarks, party sources said, the planned front was not a political alliance. It would be a joint platform to mobilise people on particular issues. One of the leaders said: “It is a secular platform to fight casteist oppression and communal politics. The work is at the embryo stage. The possibility of such a front developing into a political alliance in future is not ruled out”. Further he said, “The platform will take shape only after the Left parties discussed the request in their State committees and take a positive decision,” indicating that the ball is in the Left’s court.