Thiruma, crowd puller at Mamandur conference

With the passionate VCK cadre wanting their leader to be in focus, the alliance’s coordinator realised that the only way out was to give a fitting tribute to the Dalit leader. Vaiko then invoked Revolutionary poet Bharathidasan’s poem on Periyar EV Ramasamy Manakkukaiyil siruthai elum equating Viduthalai Thirumavalavan with the siruthai (Panther).

With the deafening roar that rose subsequently took a while to subside, Vaiko then waxed eloquent on Thirumavalavan. “I am happy that my brother Thirumavalavan has such passionate supporters,” Vaiko said and requested the cadre to tone down their cheers.

In the backdrop of Vaiko making casteist remarks against DMK leader M Karunanidhi recently only to apologise later, Vaiko has just about saved his name from being dragged into yet another controversy. 

Despite being the confluence of a six-party combine, Thirumavalavan emerged as the mass leader at the Mamandur conference superseding even DMDK leader Vijayakant. While both Vijayakant and Premalatha Vijayakant admired the cheers for Thirumavalavan, Vaiko looked worried from the beginning. 

“People ask why I’ve not been declared chief ministerial candidate, but let me clarify, there is no difference. Whether it’s Vijayakant or Thirumavalavan, it’s all the same,” Thirumavalavan said in his speech and recalled how Vijayakant became the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly within just 10 years of launching DMDK. 

He also pointed out that the DMDK-led six party combine was the only alliance that has promised devolution of power to the oppressed.

Dravidian scholar and political commentator VMS Subagunarajan told DT Next that VCK was the only party in the six-party combine that has not deviated from its ideals. 

“It is an undeniable fact that Thirumavalavan enjoys a massive clout irrespective of the alliance he is in,” he said reasoning that his popularity is not a new phenomenon, but one that started in the 1990s when the state witnessed a Dalit upsurge. 

“Other parties in the alliance only have political agenda, but VCK has an important social obligation, empowering Dalits and hence the overwhelming public support,” he added. 

With the cadre strongly pinning their hopes on Thirumavalavan for their social empowerment and share in power, it is no wonder that he consistently enjoys massive support.