Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan on Monday reiterated that he would not contest in the upcoming byelection in Tamil Nadu.

He was responding to a question from journalists regarding speculation about him trying to contest from the Tiruchi East Assembly constituency which has been declared vacant after TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay resigned as MLA from this constituency.

Mr. Thirumavalavan said the VCK did not exert any pressure on the TVK government. “We neither sought a change in portfolio nor did we place a demand to contest in the Tiruchi East Assembly constituency,” he said. “The VCK is clear that the ruling TVK government should last its full term of five years,” he added.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Monday criticised the Congress’ “electoral strategy” and “approach”, saying it had weakened the Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), and the DMK in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu respectively.

At a meeting of the INDIA bloc in New Delhi, Mr. Thirumavalavan said the Congress’ approach had caused dissatisfaction among several constituents of the INDIA bloc.

He urged the bloc to “adopt a clear and unequivocal position on the three-language policy being promoted by the BJP-led Union Government”. “Furthermore, I urge the Alliance to examine and deliberate upon the recommendations submitted by the Justice Kurian Joseph Commission to the Government of Tamil Nadu on Centre–State relations. Such discussions will contribute significantly to strengthening federal principles and safeguarding the rights of the States within the Indian Union,” he said. A copy of his speech was circulated in the media in Chennai.

Mr. Thirumavalavan said: “To effectively carry forward such struggles, mutual trust, understanding, and unity among opposition parties are indispensable. In particular, the Congress’ electoral strategy in Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu weakened parties that have been among the strongest pillars of this alliance. This is neither desirable nor beneficial to the larger cause of opposition unity. The Congress must therefore undertake a sincere reassessment of its approach and explore ways to further strengthen and consolidate the alliance.”

“The INDIA bloc brings together both national and regional parties. Differences of opinion are natural in such a broad coalition. However, such differences must not be allowed to escalate into divisions. The responsibility for maintaining unity rests not only with regional parties but equally with national parties. At a time when Centre–State relations are under unprecedented strain, national parties must re-evaluate their positions through the lens of federalism and cooperative governance,” he said.

Criticising the BJP’s “mishandling” of the education sector, Mr. Thirumavalavan referred to the “series of question paper leaks that had led to the cancellation and re-conduct of major examinations, exposing widespread irregularities and systemic failures”.

“The present situation has arisen in part because we, as political forces, have failed to consistently mobilise and fight for the issues confronting the youth. We should not regard Cockroach Janta Party, an organisation that raises the concerns of youths, as an adversary. Instead, the INDIA bloc must take up these issues on a broader platform, amplify the voices of the youths, and launch coordinated nationwide protests,” he added.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Saturday said he had to consider candidates from the constituencies allotted to the party, since the seat allocation would be fewer than 10. “It is an important issue. We should field local candidates,” he said, addressing party members through a virtual meeting.

Mr. Thirumavalavan also recalled the opinion of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) that the party lost in the Arakkonam and Vanur constituencies because its candidates were outsiders. “But the irony is that all six candidates were also outsiders, and four of them won. We lost in two constituencies by a narrow margin,” he said, requesting party members not to create any pressure and to allow him to choose the candidates independently.

He also pointed out that the Communist parties leave it to the district committees to send a list of candidates, and the State committee would finalise the list. Mr. Thirumavalavan added that he was able to field as many as 25 candidates when the VCK was part of the People’s Welfare Front (PWF).