Vijay cannot sway ideologically aligned youth, feels VCK leadership

The Viduthalai Chiduthaigal Katchi leadership feels its ideologically inclined cadres would not be swayed by actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

At the VCK’s public meeting in Villupuram on Sunday, its founder Thol. Thirumavalavan said every time an actor floats a political party, the media writes about how youngsters in VCK would start supporting the new party. He made it clear that he needs only those who have imbibed Dr. Ambedkar’s ideology, accepted Periyar (E V Ramasamy) and understand Marx.

“When Vijayakant floated a party, the media said VCK would be weakened. But, here we are, still standing with our identity intact. The party’s turf [of operation], politics and ideology is new and different. Therefore, these youngsters cannot be attracted by the glamour of cinema. Even now they say the same thing [because of TVK]: that the youngsters (with VCK) would move like herd of goats. If youngsters do that, I don’t need them. The party needs to filter them out for its own good.”

VCK general secretary, D. Ravikumar, told The Hindu no other party can raise the issues faced by Scheduled Caste youth like the VCK.

“When youngsters go and see actors (when they float a party), they do it as a form of celebration. It is momentary. But, Thirumavalavan gives the Dalit youth protection and a sense of assertion. This is different. Actors will become political leaders only when they mobilise people towards a political project,” he said.

Mr. Ravikumar added, “Parties such as NTK get the floating vote. This is the vote that Moopanar got. This is the vote that Vijayakant cornered. And this is the vote that [NTK leader] Seeman also gets.”

Packiarasan Sethuramalingam, spokesperson, NTK, said he too believes parties such as VCK and NTK “whose young supporters are ideologically inclined” do need not have to worry about losing them to the TVK.

“NTK voters and supporters also vote for the party for ideological reasons. Those who have always voted for the party from the beginning will continue to vote for it. But, parties that try to attract youth by giving them money or the floating young voters who may vote for DMK or AIADMK…will be affected or swayed by Vijay,” he said.