CHENNAI: Amid controversy over denial of seats to sitting legislators, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol Thirumavalavan on Wednesday said the party’s decision to deny renomination to three MLAs was not driven by any ulterior motive, but by the need to accommodate a larger pool of aspirants within limited seats.
Speaking during a Facebook Live interaction, he said the contributions of four MLAs, Sinthanai Selvan, Aloor Shanavas, S.S. Balaji and Panaiyur Babu, had been exemplary over the past five years. “There is no difference of opinion on their performance. I too appreciate their work,” he said, noting that their legislative interventions had brought distinction to the party.
Responding to concerns over denial of tickets to incumbents, he said such questions were natural. However, he stressed that the party, contesting a limited number of constituencies, had to also consider aspirants who had not yet been given an opportunity. “There are many who have been waiting for even a single chance. Their expectations too are justified,” he said.
Explaining the developments, he said Aloor Shanavas would have been the candidate if Nagapattinam had remained with the party. However, Shanavas himself was not keen on contesting again from the Nagapattinam constituency. The seat was subsequently allotted to an ally, necessitating a rethink.
He said Shanavas had indicated a preference for Royapuram, which was initially considered and marked for him. However, Shanavas later conveyed that he did not wish to contest from Royapuram either. Pallavaram then emerged as an alternative, but that constituency too was allotted to another alliance partner. Had Pallavaram been available, it would have been allotted to Shanavas, he said.
On SS Balaji, he said the leader had been a close associate who understood the party’s challenges and had extended support, including during the renovation of the party headquarters. He expressed confidence that Balaji would accept the decision.
He expressed hope that those denied tickets would continue to serve the party in other roles.
In a post on X, Aloor Shanavas said decisions on providing opportunities within a party rest with its leadership and should be accepted in the right spirit. He called upon cadres to work collectively to ensure the victory of eight candidates, including Thirumavalavan, in the 2026 Assembly election so that the party’s voice is strengthened in the Assembly.
Shanavas added that beyond his tenure as a legislator, he would continue to remain active in public life and work with greater vigour in the political arena.