PMK circulating old videos of Thiruma to discredit him: Cadre

Part of opposing alliances, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) cadre have accused their prime rival, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), of circulating old video clips of Thol Thirumavalavan, in which he is seen inciting Dalits to commit violence, to bring disrepute to their party ahead of the polls.

Thirumavalavan shot into prominence when he entered the State Assembly for the first time as the Mangalore MLA in 2001. His rise was seen as a Dalit upsurge in northern districts, where the PMK dominated the political proceedings with the backing of Vanniyar community.

The Dalits and Vanniyars clashed with each other on several occasions during that time, with the Dalits mostly at the receiving end of the violence unleashed. Agitated over this, Thirumavalavan, who was then a fledgling politician, spoke out strongly against the PMK and asked Dalits to retaliate against their attackers with weapons. His speeches created a widespread controversy and the VCK leader was even booked for inciting violence.

However, with the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly bypolls just days away, VCK cadre allege that the PMK functionaries have launched a smear campaign against Thirumavalavan by circulating the video clips on social media.

“The PMK is involved in negative politics and wish to spoil the image of our leader. But we are aware about their intentions,” said Kalaiselvan, a VCK cadre and a youngster from Ariyalur, which is part of Chidambaram LS constituency.

The VCK cadre fear that it might sway the neutral voters in the constituency and favour the AIADMK. “Neutral voters who wish to vote for Thirumavalavan will now think twice before voting for him. They might vote for other candidates,” said Ajith Selvaraj, a VCK supporter from Vellore.