`Let’s compete individually and teach DMK a lesson!’ Velmurugan to exit the alliance?

It has been reported that the Tamil Nadu Rights Protection Parties have decided to contest independently in the 2026 assembly elections due to the failure to reach an agreement on seat sharing within the DMK alliance. We inquired about what is happening within the Tamil Nadu Rights Protection Parties (T.V.K). In the 2019 parliamentary elections, Velmurugan, the leader of the Tamil Nadu Rights Protection Party, was united within the DMK alliance. At that time, when he asked for one MP seat, the DMK settled by giving him only one MLA seat in 2021. Similarly, in the 2024 parliamentary elections, when he asked for one MP seat, they have proposed to give him only one MLA seat in 2026 as well. Because of this, the T.V.K is seen to be in severe frustration. Velmurugan and the youth wing leaders of that party who spoke to us,

Although we have not operated as a caste-based party, Velmurugan holds influence among the Vanniyar community in the northern districts. In these 8 years of alliance with the DMK, we have established a branch structure in the northern districts equivalent to that of the PMK. Why should we work for the DMK? Yet, in every election, we are humiliated during constituency seat sharing. They negotiate three seats for the Makkal Needhi Maiam, and what political work has Kamal Haasan done compared to Velmurugan... They are offering a seat to many who do not even run the party and only keep a letterhead.

"But they are only considering giving us two seats," he shouted. Stalin - those who spoke on behalf of DMK said, "Our leader Velmurugan is the sitting MLA of Panruti constituency. This time, we requested Neiveli constituency and one more constituency for him to contest. But again, they are telling us to take only one constituency. Moreover, they are forcing our elder brother Velmurugan to stay only in Panruti. They are refusing to give the number of constituencies we asked for. They are refusing to give the constituencies we requested. When this is the case, the thought of why we should work for DMK has arisen from the leadership to the lower-level officials. They are showing bias only in the allocation of constituencies."

They say, "We have put forward demands such as fulfilling at least our request, taking action on the caste-based census, implementing the 10.5% reservation for Vanniyars, conducting a general election for Tamil Eelam, removing customs checkpoints, and ensuring 90% of jobs in Tamil Nadu go to state residents. They refuse to consider these. Then why should we remain in the alliance? That is why we have decided to contest separately." If you ask Thirumavalavan, he will say so! Those close to the leadership who spoke to us say, "The DMK greatly underestimates us."

In the absence of the PMK alliance, the campaign of our leader is helping the DMK to secure the votes of the Vanniyars. If you ask Annam Thirumavalavan, who won in the Chidambaram parliamentary constituency, he will confirm this himself. We have a strong organization not only in Cuddalore but also in many districts of Tamil Nadu. In the districts where we are strong, we will definitely secure between ten to fifteen thousand votes, and in other places between three to five thousand votes. In a four-cornered contest, victory or defeat will be decided by a margin of one or two thousand votes. Our votes will definitely be the ones that snatch the victory from the DMK.

"Only then will they understand our strength," they say. Velmurugan asked them directly, "When will you announce a solo contest?" They replied, "If DMK fields candidates in both constituencies and the ones we want, we will continue the alliance. DMK has until the evening of March 22 to decide; otherwise, the leadership will announce a solo contest." 'Butter for new arrivals... but lime for us?!' - Disappointed T.V.K, furious V.C.K!