Ahmedabad Times

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu is witnessing a literary conflict between the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam after senior DMK chief A Raja used the metaphor of a ‘coconut tree bending right into a neighbour’s home’ to take a swipe at VCK and Indian Union Muslim League becoming a member of the cupboard of chief minister Vijay beneath the newly fashioned TVK authorities.The political confrontation comes amid a serious realignment in Tamil Nadu politics following the latest meeting elections, the place actor-turned-politician Vijay led the TVK to emerge as the only largest get together with 108 seats, ending a long time of dominance by the DMK and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).The tensions escalated after VCK MLA Vanni Arasu and IUML MLA A.M. Shahjahan had been inducted into Vijay’s cupboard following the advice of the chief minister.Quickly after the induction, A Raja posted a literary jibe on X focusing on the altering political alignments.Additionally learn: DMK’s Stalin takes jibe at Tamil Nadu CM Vijay: ‘Turned CM by influencing youngsters by way of Instagram’Referring to the Tamil literary expression ‘muttatthengu’- loosely that means a coconut tree planted in a single’s courtyard that bends in direction of the neighbour’s home to supply fruit and water, Raja wrote:“If the coconut in my house backyardbends overand affords tender waterto the other home,in literature,that may be named‘muttatthengu’!What title ought to we give it in politics?Lengthy dwell Tamil!”The publish rapidly triggered sharp responses from VCK leaders and the ruling TVK camp.

VCK hits again at DMK

Responding strongly, the VCK accused the DMK of vanity and treating alliance companions merely as vote banks regardless of relying on their assist for electoral victories.In a sharply-worded social media publish, the get together mentioned: “The VCK didn’t develop due to the mercy of different events! It was the exhausting work of the Panthers that shed blood and sweat throughout each nook of Tamil Nadu, safeguarded the vote financial institution of oppressed communities, and helped alliance events safe victories.”Questioning the DMK’s criticism over alleged ‘get together hopping’, the VCK additional mentioned: “What qualification do leaders of different events have to talk about ‘get together hopping’? Who allied with the Sangh Parivar (BJP) to defeat the Congress? Who was a part of the Vajpayee cupboard and later opposed the exact same BJP out of political self-interest? Tamil Nadu has witnessed many such political dramas.”The get together additionally attacked the DMK on the difficulty of ‘energy sharing’ and illustration for marginalised communities.“We joined arms for ideology, and we now have not even formally introduced that we’re leaving the alliance but… then why this irritation already? Maintain your so-called ‘social justice’ to yourselves — the identical justice the place you are taking votes from oppressed communities however refuse to share energy with them!”The VCK added that the get together’s progress got here by way of a long time of grassroots struggles.“The VCK motion has grown by way of the exhausting work of ‘Ezhuchi Thamizhar’ and the blood and sweat of tens of millions of Panthers. Our revered chief Thol. Thirumavalavan is aware of very effectively what political technique must be adopted at what time for the welfare of the get together and the individuals,” the publish added.VCK chief SS Balaji additionally responded poetically to the DMK management.“Energy to the standard—What rage is there in it?Helplessness flings aboutSlander that won’t sway you—Cross it in peace,To keep away from the uncouth.If injustice persistsAnd also you voice all of it,Unable to damThe flames, you’ll fritter away.”Additionally learn: ‘Don’t do BJP politics’: DMK fumes as Vande Mataram performed earlier than state anthem at Vijay govt oath occasion

TVK accuses DMK of ‘vanity of energy’

The ruling TVK additionally entered the confrontation and accused the DMK of crossing the bounds of political decency.In a strongly-worded assertion posted on X, the get together mentioned Raja’s remarks mocking VCK and IUML’s stand on ‘energy sharing’ mirrored ‘the peak of indecency’.“The tweet posted by DMK MP A Raja on his social media web page mocking the positions taken by the VCK and IUML relating to the democratic precept of ‘energy sharing’, and crossing the boundaries of political decency and ethics, is the peak of indecency,” the assertion learn.The get together additional accused the DMK of displaying ‘vanity of energy’.“When events rooted in social justice elevate their rights or current different political beliefs, criticising them in a degrading method and talking in a threatening tone solely displays the vanity of energy throughout the DMK.”The TVK additionally claimed that the DMK feared Vijay’s rising political mannequin and coalition politics.“The DMK leaders have begun dropping their composure and ranting out of concern that the sincere and inclusive political philosophy of power-sharing proposed by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam will dismantle their monopoly of household politics. You’ve now revealed your true face yourselves,” the assertion added.

Why VCK backed Vijay authorities?

The VCK’s choice to assist the TVK authorities marks one of the important political shifts in latest Tamil Nadu politics.Although no get together secured a transparent majority, VCK and IUML each long-time allies of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance prolonged assist to Vijay’s authorities to forestall political instability and a doable President’s Rule scenario within the state.VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan had earlier mentioned the get together determined to hitch the TVK-led cupboard after consultations with get together office-bearers, including that there was overwhelming assist throughout the organisation.The VCK, which enjoys sturdy Dalit assist, had contested the Meeting elections as a part of the DMK-led alliance and received two seats.Following the fractured verdict, the get together initially prolonged outdoors assist to Vijay whereas persevering with formally throughout the DMK-led alliance.Explaining the transfer, Thirumavalavan had mentioned the choice was taken to make sure political stability and stop President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu.“We’re extending assist to TVK for 2 causes. VCK shouldn’t be an element hindering Vijay from turning into CM, and Tamil Nadu mustn’t come beneath President’s Rule,” he had mentioned after handing over the assist letter to TVK leaders in Chennai.Even whereas extending assist, VCK leaders had insisted the transfer was a ‘useful necessity’ and never an ideological shift.“Our assist is a useful necessity to forestall a constitutional vacuum, not a validation of ideology,” VCK common secretary D Ravikumar had mentioned earlier.