Veteran politician and VCK general secretary Ta. Vaalan (Thirumavalavan) has laid into the DMK over its perceived mismanagement of the relationship with Bollywood-turned-political-figure actor Vijay, particularly in the aftermath of the deadly Karur stampede that rocked Tamil Nadu political discourse.
Speaking at a press interaction in Chennai, Thirumavalavan asserted that the DMK had severely underestimated Vijay's influence and public standing, and that the party's dismissive response to the crisis only deepened the growing disconnect between the two allies. The Karur stampede, which claimed numerous lives during a political rally, had triggered widespread outrage across the state, and expectations were high that key figures would respond empathetically and proactively.
According to Thirumavalavan, the DMK chose instead to adopt a casual, almost dismissive stance toward Vijay's communications and concerns — a decision that he argued was born of arrogance rather than strategic consideration. The VCK chief contended that Vijay, who has long been a valued ally in the anti-Dravidian tradition, was treated as someone whose public support could be taken for granted without genuine engagement or respect.
The criticism strikes at the heart of a delicate political dynamics within the AIADMK-opposition alliance, where Vijay's entry into electoral politics has shifted the calculus for several parties. Thirumavalavan noted that the goodwill and trust built over decades between the DMK and figures like Vijay did not evaporate overnight but were slowly worn down by what he described as condescending and inadequate approaches from the ruling party leadership.
Political analysts observing the exchange suggest that Thirumavalavan's remarks reflect wider anxieties within the DMK alliance about whether its traditional coalition partners feel adequately heard and valued in New Delhi-backed policy decisions and state-level strategy sessions. The VCK leader stopped short of spelling out具体 remedial steps but implied that the DMK must reassess how it engages with alliance partners if it wishes to preserve the fragile unity that has sustained the coalition through multiple electoral cycles.
TheDMK has not yet issued a formal rebuttal to Thirumavalavan's comments, though insiders say the party remains confident that its track record will speak for itself in the electorate's verdict.
