Rift talk to fore as VCK ignores MDMK for meet

VCK, which ignored Vaiko, the convener of the PWF, has invited the Left parties. Political observers link the VCK’s decision as a pay back to the opposition of the MDMK leader to Thirumavalavan’s participation in the ‘all-party’ meet called by the DMK over the Cauvery issue some time back. Interestingly, while the VCK and the Left parties were going hammer and tongs on the Centre’s decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 from circulation to stamp out black money and the subsequent note crisis across the country, the MDMK was not that vociferous over the problem. 

Admitting this difference in stand over the demonetisation, Thol Thirumavalavan reasoned that the MDMK chief was not invited for the conference as Vaiko had already defended the Centre’s decision.  “Under such circumstances, it would not be appropriate to invite him to the conference,” he said. However, the VCK chief ruled out any split in the PWF.

R Mutharasan, state secretary, CPI, had openly criticised Vaiko for his support to the Centre on demonetisation. “Our party has continuously been opposing the demonetisation and we will definitely participate in the conference to register our protest,” Muthrasan told DTNext. 

Asked, whether sidelining of Vaiko would be a pointer to a rift within the PWF, he replied in the negative. Similarly, the CPM confirmed that it would take part in the conference. However, the VCK refrained from inviting other opposition parties in Tamil Nadu like DMK and Congress, which were also firing the Centre over the demonstration decision. Ravikumar, general secretary, VCK, said, “they have invited only allies of the PWF and denied any motive behind not inviting DMK and Congress.” 

Defending Vaiko’s support to the Centre over demonetisation, Mallai Sathya, MDMK, deputy general secretary, said “It is a fact that MDMK supported demonetisation, because of which black money largely has come out. However, we have been equally fast in highlighting the plight of people due to the crisis that followed.” 

Insisting that the common agenda of the PWF was to fight for the good of the people, he played down the issue of VCK not inviting their party leader to its conference. PWF would always remain stable, he added. Political observers feel that VCK had taken the right decision in ignoring Vaiko for demonetisation conference. A Marx, a political observer, says “Vaiko has always maintained a good rapport with BJP and has supported almost all the decisions of the BJP. In the same stead, he welcomed demonetisation too. In such a condition, he (Vaiko) cannot be invited.”

He added that this was yet another instance that may intensify differences within the partners and may lead to a split in the PWF. When VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan allied with Congress in Puducherry for the Nellithope by-elections it gave a jitter to the other allies in the PWF. But, they had overcome that and the alliance continued.