The VCK is facing severe criticism from DMK leaders for joining the TVK-led government

MK Stalin. File | Photo credit: X/@mkstalin

The induction of VCK candidate Vanni Arasu into the Tamil Nadu cabinet headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday drew intense criticism from second-line leaders and supporters of the DMK, a erstwhile ally of the VCK. As things threatened to turn ugly, DMK president and former chief minister MK Stalin intervened and issued a statement urging party leaders to stand by their criticism.

DMK Deputy General Secretary and MP Nilgris A. Raja made the sexual reference to describe his displeasure with the VCK’s decision to join the TVK-led government after the party announced that it was only giving external support to the TVK like CPI and CPI(M).

In a social media post that was deleted following criticism, Mr Raja sought to compare the decision of some allies to join the TVK government to extramarital affairs. He lamented that the “pot” (symbol VCK) and “ladder” (symbol IUML) succumbed to the sound of the “whistle” (symbol TVK).

In a new post later, Mr. Raja wondered what might be the political equivalent of a coconut that takes root in one garden but delivers coconut water to the opposite house because the tree has “bent and bent” to the other side.

Reacting to the pro-VCK clique saying that the party was not growing because of other parties, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai appeared to suggest that the VCK formed an alliance with the DMK because it was not sure of a TVK victory. “Don’t engage in mere ‘hard work’ rhetoric after craftily diverting the vote bank of the downtrodden people to the opposition. It is the blood and sweat of the DMK cadre that ensured VCK’s victory. Thiruma’s elder brother (VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan) claimed that our party members had not won before. Why? It was not clear if a whole party was formed with Vija in the election. DMK closed after the election alliance with TVK People watch everything,” he said.

However, VCK leaders privately admit that it was a tough decision for the party after being in an ideologically cohesive alliance with the DMK for the 2019 Assembly, 2021, 2024 and 2026 Assembly elections, apart from the local body elections.

Acknowledging the problems and doubts that arose before the elections, VCK leaders said the party was able to convert its votes to the DMK across northern districts and in Cuddalore and the Cauvery delta region. “It is not fair to talk like this after the elections. The alliance could not win and we had to take the decision to form the government. We were part of a mutually beneficial alliance,” said a senior leader.

To cool the mood, Mr. Stalin congratulated Tindivanam MLA and VCK leader Vanni Arasu on taking charge as Social Justice Minister and AM Shahjahan on becoming Minority Welfare Minister. “Each party has the right to chart its own political course. As your leader, I therefore love to appeal to DMK comrades not to use harsh words at this time to hurt anyone. We are following in the footsteps of Perarignar Anna and Muthamil Arignar Karunanidhi. We must not forget that. We will function as a constructive opposition (party) that appreciates the good.

Published – 22 May 2026 12:44 IST