Our friendship, alliance strong, says VCK chief after meeting Stalin

Thirumavalavan has visited the DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam a few days after DMK treasurer Duraimurugan made a statement raising doubts about the VCK and MDMK being a part of the DMK-led alliance for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. Stalin, who on Monday wrote to Vaiko in the pretext of supporting his party’s agitation against Raj Bhavan, understandably, to cool the tempers, was understood to have hastily ‘invited’ Thirumavalavan who has been waiting to meet him since last week.

“Stalin is aware that his treasurer’s statement has annoyed Vaiko and VCK chief. That the statement was made by the second in command has given an impression that it has the sanction of Stalin. So, he wasted notime in hosting Thirumavalavan,” a DMK senior said requesting anonymity.

For his part, Thirumavalavan, emerged out of Arivalayam and accused some people of deliberately spreading rumours about an innocuous statement made by Duraimurugan. “Friendship between DMK and VCK is very strong,” the VCK leader said, reiterating that a formidable alliance led by the DMK would face the ensuing Parliamentary polls.

Ironically, in keeping calm on the ‘outburst’ of its seasoned treasurer, the DMK has only lent some amount of credibility to rumours that leaders like Duraimurugan and a couple of district secretaries in northern Tamil Nadu were not favourably disposed to alliance with the VCK. However, sources close to Stalin said they were only posturing tough and the president was keen on taking Vaiko and Thirumavalavan on board.

While Stalin warmed upto the probable allies by penning a letter and hosting them at Arivalayam, a seasoned Duraimurugan clarified that he was not against any party and one could describe ties with a party as alliance only after seat sharing deal was officially clinched. He did not mind reiterating that many like-minded parties have parted ways after seat sharing talks failed in the past.