Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) President Thol Thirumavalavan announced that he will hold an anti-liquor conference on behalf of the party's women's wing in Kallakurichi in Tamil Nadu on 2 October, the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi.
Published Sep 14, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 14, 2024 | 9:20 PM
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) President Thol Thirumavalavan.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) President Thol Thirumavalavan announced that he will hold an anti-liquor conference on behalf of the party’s women’s wing in Kallakurichi in Tamil Nadu on 2 October, the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi.
Kallakurichi witnessed a hooch tragedy in June this year, which saw the death of at least 66 people who consumed illicit liquor, locally known as Sarayam. The spurious liquor was allegedly laced with a high amount of methanol to enhance the intoxication caused by it. The ruling DMK came under severe criticism following the hooch deaths.
An ally of DMK, VCK, is now hosting an anti-liquor conference in the same place.
Thirumavalavan invited parties including principal Opposition AIADMK, and actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to participate in the conference.
Meanwhile, the political circles in the state are discussing the motive of the conference questioning whether it is a strategy to gain electoral benefits or aimed at the welfare of the people. Given the Tamil Nadu assembly elections scheduled in 2026, the conference could also be seen as marking possible political realignment in the state.
Thirumavalavan, MP of the Chidambaram constituency, went to Karunapuram in the Kallakurichi district on Wednesday, 11 September, to provide financial assistance to the families of 11 victims of the tragedy in June.
Speaking on the occasion, Thirumavalavan said, “The cries of the victims in Karunapuram show the necessity of alcohol eradication. Therefore, we are planning to hold an alcohol eradication conference so that people from the southern districts and northern districts can easily participate.”
He said the conference will be held on 2 October at Ulundurpet in the district.
“Many people here are of the opinion that liquor shops should be closed. That is why the VCK is taking forward the anti-alcohol convention in Kallakurichi district,” Thirumavalavan said.
He claimed that the convention was being organised not for any political gain.
Decisions regarding elections are made only during the election period. Alliance is different, politics is different, he added.
“This conference to bring democratic forces together to voice for a ban on alcohol. Therefore, DMK, leading the ruling alliance, and AIADMK, which shares our stand on alcohol prohibition, can also participate in this conference,” Thirumavalavan said.
When reporters questioned whether he was inviting the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) for the conference, Thirumavalavan said: “The PMK and the BJP are not invited as they are religious forces. Parties like DMK, ADMK, Congress, and the Communist parties can participate (in the conference).”
He said the conference should not be tied with the 2026 Assembly polls in the state.
“In the 2016 election manifesto, DMK had openly promised to implement an alcohol prohibition. We (VCK) remind you that, we joined the alliance following the promise of its implementation,” he added.
“Actor Vijay, who started the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, can also participate in the anti-alcohol conference,” Thirumavalavan said.
Former ministers from AIADMK are urging the leadership to make a decision on attending the conference.
Responding to the invitations extended by VCK, state Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “Inviting AIADMK or any other party is the decision of VCK. The respective parties will decide on whether to accept the invitation or not. No one else can comment on it.”
Tamil Nadu Minister of Medicine and Public Welfare, Ma Subramanian said, “If AIADMK is invited to the anti-liquor convention of VCK, it would be good if they go. It means that they have come together for a good cause.”
PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss spoke about the convention when he attended a private college program held at Paramathi Vellore on 11 September.
In response to a question regarding the anti-alcohol conference being held by VCK, he said, “There is no need for anyone to invite us. For the last 45 years, PMK has been fighting for the abolition of alcohol.”
He claimed PMK was the reason why parties including VCK in Tamil Nadu adopted the policy of alcohol prohibition as a matter of principle.
“DMK and AIADMK are the reason why the youth in Tamil Nadu are forced to live with alcohol. We will support whoever conducts the alcohol abolition conference,” he said
Union Minister L Murugan said Thirumavalavan might have convened the conference to threaten the DMK.
Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Murugan said, “There is a possibility of a major political change in the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. The anti-liquor conference conducted by the leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Thirumavalavan, is welcome. However, at a time when Chief Minister MK Stalin is abroad, there is a doubt that he is using this to intimidate DMK.”
Responding to the comment, state Law Minister S Raghupathi, who met the reporters in Pudukottai, said, “No one can threaten DMK. We (DMK) had seen the emergency and overcame it. VCK is our friendly party and the chief minister values friendly parties. Thirumavalavan does not need to threaten us and he will not.”
Speaking to reporters in Karur, Congress MP Jothimani said, “I welcome the anti-liquor conference to be organised by the VCK. There is no need to do politics behind it. The state president will decide on the Congress’ participation in the conference. Since the chief minister is abroad and he is the leader of the DMK, I think a conference will be called upon after his return,” she said.
Meanwhile, senior journalist Tharasu Shyam said this move by VCK can be seen as a sign of changes in the political alliances in Tamil Nadu.
“Any such pre-election conferences will put pressure on the ruling government. DMK and all the parties in the alliance would be insisting on a coalition government in 2026. It is from this standpoint that the VCK is organising the conference.”
“Also, Thirumavalavan had said the people who were arrested in the Armstrong murder case, were not the real criminals. Later, he said that it was wrong to pay ₹10 lakh in compensation to the kin of victims of the Kallakurichi tragedy as they had consumed the liquor knowingly. Now he insists on abstinence from liquor. He also knows that it is not possible. So, it will lead to an alliance breakup. DMK also knows this,” he said.
Meanwhile, the chances of AIADMK participating in the VCK conference are high, rumoured to create an alliance with the party.
At the same time, the participation by actor Vijay’s TVK is not confirmed and political experts say that if he participates, it would cause a new crisis for the DMK.
Overall, there is a high possibility that the alcohol abolition conference to be held by Thirumalavan would shuffle the political alliances in Tamil Nadu.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
