CHENNAI: Hitting back at VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan over criticism that Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) cadre echoed RSS ideology, the party's chief coordinator Seeman asked who had allied with the BJP to become an MLA, referring to the 2001 Assembly elections when the former contested under the BJP's National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
After making a derisive remark at the Tirunelveli meeting on the Chidambaram MP for linking him to the BJP, Seeman followed it up by saying that he didn't float a party to fight against leaders scrambling for single-digit seats.
Seeman challenged critics to cite any of his remarks against 'Periyar' E V Ramasamy that were worse than those made by leaders such as CN Annadurai or M Karunanidhi, in an apparent reference to the initial phase when the DMK was formed, splitting away from the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK), and the two sides were at odds with each other.
After batting for actor-politician Vijay in Nellai, questioning Thirumavanavan, how he was sure that the BJP was operating the NTK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the Tamil nationalist leader brushed aside questions over the actor's farewell film audio launch event in Malaysia. Stating that Vijay was speaking just as a fan leader, Seeman said he had no time to comment further on the newbie politician.
However, after paying homage to late DMDK founder Vijayakant, hailing from a Telugu minority community, Seeman attempted to reignite the Dravidian–Tamil identity debate, asserting that the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu would be fought over that ideological question.
Responding to questions on his remarks urging Dravidians not to vote for NTK, Seeman said identity was at the core of the political battle ahead.
"You (DMK) call yourselves Dravidians; we call ourselves Tamils. Why should I identify as Dravidian?" he asked. Taking strong exception to the Keezhadi excavations being termed 'Dravidian civilisation,' Seeman argued that 2,500 years ago, there was only Tamil civilisation. "What is the problem in calling it Tamil civilisation?" he asked, alleging a systematic attempt to erase Tamil language, culture and history by branding temples, festivals like Pongal and heritage sites under a Dravidian framework.
Hailing Vijayakant as a leader who continues to live with dignity in the hearts of the people, he recalled his personal association with the former actor-turned politician.
The DMDK founder practised equality and fraternity not merely in words but through action, Seeman said. "Despite never holding high office, he educated thousands of underprivileged children. There would be hundreds, if not thousands, of IAS and IPS officers shaped by his support," he told reporters here, adding that Vijayakant was beyond reproach and remembered foremost as a good human being.