Dalit parties benefit, but alliance majors rarely

The major Dalit parties in the state, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Puthiya Tamiligam (PT), had aligned with both the Dravidian majors during various polls. VCK and Puthiya Tamilagam claim to represent the two Dalit castes of Paraiyars and Pallars, respectively.

The relationship between DMK and VCK commenced in 2001 when VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan contested under the DMK symbol of Rising Sun from Mangalore constituency, in Cuddalore district and secured his first electoral win. However, in 2004, he came out of the DMK alliance and joined the JD(U) alliance but failed to emerge successful.

However, in 2009, the VCK returned to the DMK front and, this time, Thirumavalavan romped home from Chidambaram Lok Sabha constituency. Though he continued in the same alliance in 2011 Assembly elections and 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the VCK lost both of them.

After an unsuccessful stint in People Welfare Alliance (PWA) in 2016 Assembly polls, the VCK returned to the DMK alliance for the April 18 battle.

Interestingly, whenever VCK was part of the alliance except in 2009, the DMK has lost the contest. Thirumavalavan contested only once in AIADMK alliance in 2006 and lost to the DMK alliance. Though Thirumavalavan stood to gain from the DMK, on the contrary the alliance did not fare well most of the times.

Similarly, Puthiya Tamilagam commenced the electoral journey with the DMK in 2001 Assembly polls and contested in 10 seats but lost all of them. DMK too lost that elections.

PT leader Krishnasamy had never won as part of the DMK alliance and he became MLA when he aligned with the AIADMK in 2011 and contested from Ottapidaram constituency in Thoothukudi district.

For the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Krishnasamy has aligned with the AIADMK and has got a ticket to contest from Tenkasi constituency. He secured over more than 1 lakh votes while contesting as an independent from the same seat in 2009.