Vijay calls out DMK alliance for Thirumavalavan’s absence at Ambedkar book launch

Book release was already steeped in controversy over Dalit leader Thirumavalavan’s decision to stay away. His party, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, is an ally of Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK

Lamenting the absence of prominent Dalit leader Thol Thirumavalavan at the release of a book of essays honouring B R Ambedkar, actor-turned-politician Vijay on Friday took aim at the DMK-led ruling alliance in the state and said those “surviving fully on their alliance calculations” would have their calculations “destroyed by the people in 2026 (when Assembly elections are due in Tamil Nadu)”.

The book release was already steeped in controversy over Thirumavalavan’s decision to stay away from the event. Thirumavalavan is the leader of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), an ally of Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK. He had initially agreed to share the stage with Vijay at the event, but later pulled out. Vijay had taken several jibes at the DMK at his maiden political rally in October.

“Thol Thirumavalavan couldn’t come here. He can’t even attend the release of a book honouring Ambedkar,” Vijay said at the release of the book titled Ellarukumana Thalaivar Ambedkar (Ambedkar: The Leader for All), published by Vikatan Publications.

“Even if I assume all those pressures within alliance politics, I am sure his mind was fully here at this event,” Vijay said.

Beginning his speech with a nod to Ambedkar, Vijay asked, “What would have made Ambedkar upset in present-day India if he were alive?” He then launched into criticism of the state and central governments.

He brought up the failures of the Centre in the Manipur conflict, and took a swipe at the Tamil Nadu government over the unresolved Vengaivayal case, where in 2022, human excrement was found inside a tank that supplied water to Scheduled Caste residents.

“If Ambedkar had seen this now, he would have gone mute in shame,” Vijay said.

“Ritualistic tweets and statements on people’s issues, and staged photos in the rain — these don’t stand for the people,” he said, adding, “A people’s government is needed here, one that truly stands with the people.”

Originally planned to feature Chief Minister M K Stalin alongside Thirumavalavan, the book release has had its guest list and schedule altered, with Vijay replacing Stalin as the chief guest. Thirumavalavan had initially agreed to share the stage with Vijay before the latter launched his political party in October.

In a statement on Friday morning, Thirumavalavan said, “Being part of the DMK alliance, my attendance (at the book release) would have been politicised.”

At the event, Vijay said, “Those who can’t respect people’s needs and are surviving fully on their alliance calculations — let me remind you, your desperate alliance calculations will be destroyed by the people themselves in 2026.”

The controversy surrounding the book release was also triggered by the fact that the event was co-hosted by the Voice of Commons, a political brand strategy firm owned by Aadhav Arjun – the deputy general secretary of Thirumavalavan’s VCK.

Arjun, is the son-in-law of controversial lottery king Santiago Martin, joined the VCK earlier this year. Before that, he was closely associated with the DMK’s internal strategy group, controlled by Stalin’s son-in-law, Sabareesan, and other confidantes.

His role in facilitating Vijay’s participation in Friday’s book release event has further fuelled speculation about growing tensions between DMK and VCK.

In recent months, Arjun has directly taken on Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, calling him a “mere film actor who climbed the ladder quickly”, and criticised the DMK alliance for refusing to share power with allies like the VCK. Even though Thirumavalavan has consistently denied speculations of a rift within the DMK alliance, it is significant that Arjun has not faced any action in VCK.

The book release was also attended by prominent public intellectual Anand Teltumbde, and former Madras High Court judge K Chandru.