VCK cadre blast Ramadoss over ‘Thiruma introduction claim’

The statement of PMK leader Ramadoss , who claimed that he only brought VCK leader Thirumavalavan to politics, triggered a fresh debate on Tuesday between the arch rivals and in political circles.

Ramadoss during his campaign at Chidambaram constituency, on Tuesday, said, “I was the first person to bring Thirumavalan into politics. I gave him the identity in northern districts.” However, VCK functionaries quickly rejected the claim of the PMK founder.

Responding to the claims of Ramadoss, Aloor Shanavas, a key functionary of the VCK, said, “During college days Thirumavalavan was associated with DMK and then he became the state president of Dalit Panthers of India. So, there is no truth in Ramadoss’ statement”.

The PMK leader’s claim triggered a serious discussion among political enthusiasts. But, a majority of them did not vouch the claim of Ramadoss. Aloor Shanavas said that while Thirumavalavan was studying in the law college, he associated himself with DMK. He had also invited MDMK leader Vaiko to preside over several meetings.

Thereafter, Thirumavalavan got a government job and went to Madurai. Subsequently, he was made the state president of Dalit Panthers of India after the demise of Malaisamy, the leader of that party. “He was instrumental in developing Dalit Panthers of India. So, he became a political leader even before meeting Ramadoss.”

On the other hand, Shanavas claimed that it was the VCK which gave identity to Ramadoss. “Our leader (Thirumavalavan) gave two awards, ‘Tamil Kudithangi’ and ‘Ambedkar Sudar’ to Ramadoss. Truth is that we gave identity to Ramadoss through such honours and it is not the other way round,” said Shanavas.

Political analyst Raveenthran Duraisamy said, “DMK was the party that gave identity to Thirumavalavan by making him an MLA in 2001 and then as a MP in 2009. Also, other intermediate castes in northern Tamil Nadu promoted Thirumavalavan to counter Ramadoss and his community.”

In 1988, Thol Thirumavalavanjoined State Forensic Deptat Madurai

He became the president of Dalit Panthers of India in 1990

In 2001, he aligned with DMK and contested from Mangalore constituency, in Cuddaloredistrict. He won the election but resigned from the post in 2004

In 2009, he again aligned with DMK for the Lok Sabha election and won from Chidambaram constituency

In 2011, VCK joined hands with DMK while PMK failed to win in any of the constituencies