VCK, CPI to attend DMK’s all-party meeting on farmers

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan told media persons that his party and the CPI would attend the meeting on behalf of People’s Welfare Front (PWF). The same VCK had earlier abstained from a similar all-party meeting called to discuss the farmers issue -Cauvery River row was the flash point of the state then- owing to alliance compulsions, mainly from the CPM. 

The left party had opposed their participation earlier by citing impending three-constituency by-elections. Absentee Thirumavalavan and host M K Stalin had friendly exchanges with the leaders thanking each other for expressing solidarity. 

Due to the split in PWF now, both Thirumavalavan and CPI state secretary Mutharasan had no qualms about responding affirmatively to DMK’s invitation this time. Participation of the two erstwhile allies of the CPM gains significance as it happens shortly after the other Left party subtly and yet sufficiently expressed its willingness to support the DMK in the recently cancelled R K Nagar by-election, while the VCK indirectly stood with TTV Dinakaran’s AIADMK (Amma) group. 

It is widely believed in political circles that PMK could be a surprise participant in the Sunday’s meeting considering that party founder Dr S Ramadoss had sent his letter to Stalin, through his legal wing functionary and High Court advocate K Balu, on TASMAC shifting row, less than a fortnight ago, something that had not happened in the recent past.