Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Wednesday said any alliance without the participation of the Congress at the national level would only benefit the BJP.
“Even if you form a third front with genuine intention, it will not serve any purpose without the presence of the Congress. We will strive hard to create a front with the Congress and will not be part of any alliance in which the Congress is not a partner,” Mr. Thirumavalavan, who met AICC president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday, told The Hindu .
He refuted claims that he met Mr. Gandhi because the DMK had decided to form a third front along with Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
“Mr. Rao met Mr. Stalin to get support for State’s autonomy and more funds for the States. He also clarified that there was no proposal to form a third front,” Mr. Thirumavalavan said and added that he met Mr. Gandhi to congratulate him on his elevation as the AICC chief and thank him for his party’s support against the Supreme Court order on the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Mr. Thirumavalan also requested Mr. Gandhi to take part in the ‘Save Nation’ conference planned by the VCK. The date of the conference would be fixed once Mr. Gandhi’s appointment was confirmed, he said.
“Mr. Gandhi told me that a Dalit party should always be anti-BJP and anti-RSS. Otherwise, they will be considered as traitors of Dalits’ interest,” he said. Mr. Thirumavalavan also met Sitaram Yechury, who has been elected as the general secretary of the CPI(M) for the second time.
“The need of the hour is unity among secular forces. I have also asked Mr. Yechury to take the initiative to bring together all secular forces,” he said.
