October 25, 2016
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader, Thol Thirumavalavan, today announced that his party would not attend the all party meeting on the Cauvery issue convened by the DMK.
Thirumavalavan said though the VCK, a constituent of People’s Welfare Front (PWF) wanted to take part in the meeting, it had to reverse the decision.
The party’s executive committee favoured the VCK’s participation in the meeting. However, it was said that the final call would be made after discussions with the Left parties, who were against the meeting. Thirumavalan, along with party leaders, called on the Left leaders, who were stubborn on their decision.
Thirumavalan finally conceded and sent a letter to DMK treasurer and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, M.K. Stalin, stating that he would not be able to attend the meeting and wished him good luck.
“Our party does not want to mix politics with Cauvery issue. Farmer wing leaders of the CPI and CPI(M) took part in the protest called for by the DMK on October 13 and we were hopeful that we would be able to convince our allies to participate in the meeting too,” the letter stated.
“The alliance members expressed their concerns and said that with the PWF not contesting the Aravakurichi, Thiruparakundram and Thanjavur elections, taking part in the meeting organised by DMK would cause unnecessary confusion among party members. Hence we are not in a position to take part in the meeting,” he said in the letter.