Chennai, India – July 5, 2025: A political storm is brewing in Tamil Nadu as leaders from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and some members of the Congress party have strongly opposed a proposal by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president, K. Selvaperunthagai, to include the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections.
The VCK, a party representing Dalit communities and led by Thol. Thirumavalavan, has been at odds with the PMK for over 15 years due to the latter’s history of anti-Dalit policies and caste-based politics. The PMK, led by S. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss, is seen as representing the interests of the Vanniyar community, often clashing with Dalit groups in the state.
The controversy erupted after Selvaperunthagai met PMK founder S. Ramadoss at his residence in Villupuram, sparking speculation about a potential alliance. In an interview, Selvaperunthagai suggested that including the PMK in the DMK-led INDIA bloc could strengthen the coalition. However, this idea has faced sharp criticism from within the Congress and its ally, the VCK.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore from Virudhunagar and VCK general secretary D. Ravikumar, a Villupuram MP, questioned whether the TNCC chief’s move was approved by the Congress high command. Ravikumar, in an open letter to Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, expressed concern that aligning with the PMK could weaken the DMK-Congress alliance and alienate Dalit voters. “The VCK has always stood for secularism and social justice. We cannot align with a party like the PMK, which has promoted casteism and division,” Ravikumar stated, emphasizing that such an alliance would not work at the grassroots level.
Thirumavalavan, the VCK chief, has also reiterated his party’s firm stance against joining any coalition that includes the PMK or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He accused the PMK of fanning caste-based tensions and opposing Dalit rights, making any collaboration impossible.
The opposition to the TNCC chief’s proposal highlights deeper tensions within Tamil Nadu’s political landscape as parties gear up for the 2026 elections. The DMK-led alliance, which includes the Congress and VCK, has been a dominant force in the state, but internal disagreements over potential allies could complicate their strategy.
Political analysts suggest that Selvaperunthagai’s outreach to the PMK may be an attempt to broaden the alliance’s voter base, given the PMK’s influence among the Vanniyar community. However, this move risks alienating the VCK and other Dalit voters, who form a significant portion of the alliance’s support.
As Tamil Nadu prepares for a crucial election, the rift underscores the challenges of balancing caste dynamics, ideological differences, and coalition politics in one of India’s most politically vibrant states. The Congress high command has yet to comment officially on the issue, leaving the future of the alliance uncertain.
