The Hindu : Front Page : VCK will stay with DMK despite pressure to switch

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Monday, Feb 28, 2011
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VCK will stay with DMK despite pressure to switch

B Kolappan

We expect to be rewarded for our loyalty: Thirumavalavan

The VCK contested the 2006 Assembly election as part of the AIADMK alliance
The party joined the DMK combine immediately after the elections

CHENNAI: Confirming that he was getting repeated feelers from the AIADMK camp, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi(VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Sunday said that despite the “heavy pressure”, he would stick with the DMK. “I'm getting strong feelers almost on a daily basis, but I am not going to leave the DMK alliance,” he told The Hindu following reports that the AIADMK had approached him for an alliance.

The VCK contested the 2006 Assembly election as part of the AIADMK alliance, but joined the DMK combine immediately after the elections. The party fielded nine candidates, but could win only two seats.

Distancing himself from reports that his party was toying with the idea of going with the AIADMK, the Dalit leader said there was no need for him to float such reports to increase the bargaining power of his party.

“But at the same time, we expect to be rewarded for our loyalty. We hope the DMK will make us feel comfortable in the alliance. We are not making any unreasonable demands,” Mr. Thirumavalavan said.

The party expects that the DMK leadership will take into consideration its strength and offer a reasonable number of seats befitting its stature, he said.

The VCK had never talked about “options” because it had always wanted to go with the DMK. Asked whether the DMK wanted to complete seat-sharing with the Congress before coming to the VCK, he said, “I have no idea.”

VCK MLA Ravikumar said his party's demands for an honourable allocation of seats was “fully justifiable.”

“Our strength is time-tested, and the VCK and PMK together can make a formidable combination in the northern belt of the State. The rival camp, whatever be the strength, cannot match us,” he said.

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