Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, a splinter group of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, has resolved to take to the field to ensure the defeat of the PMK’s scion and Dharmapuri candidate, Anbumani Ramadoss, in the coming Lok Sabha polls. The outfit’s leader, Kolathur Mani, has said the decision was aimed at dealing a blow at forces which stoked casteist tensions for electoral gain.
“Usually, we never go to the field. We express support to an appropriate party and issue a plea to the people to support them. But this time, we will be taking to the field in the Dharmapuri constituency to ensure defeat for Anbumani Ramadoss,” Kolathur Mani told Express.
“First, we are against the entry of Hindutva and (Narendra) Modi into the electoral discourse of Tamil Nadu. Second, we are against the use of casteist tensions for personal gain. PMK is a symbol of such activities, and Anbumani is a symbol of the PMK in these coming elections. So, we will work for his defeat,” he added.
Mani further said his outfit had expressed support for the CPI, CPM, SDPI, IUML, MMK and VCK, as they are parties “who stand against Hindutva”.
The Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam would also soon release a book on Modi, and hold street corner meetings on why not to vote for the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate. The outfit had held a similar campaign against the Congress during the last Lok Sabha election, on the basis of its stand on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue.
Meanwhile, Anbumani on Sunday alleged that a case filed against him for inciting caste tensions was a ‘false’ one, and demanded action against officials responsible for filing it. In a statement, he said the police were targeting his party to counter what he claimed was a groundswell of support for him in the constituency.