Our workers seek 25 seats, says VCK leader

Arasu, deputy general secretary of Viduthlai Chiruthaigal Kachi (VCK), said on Monday that party workers expected the leadership to seek at least 25 assembly constituencies from the DMK in the 2026 assembly elections. His comments came as the party highlighted its aspirations to contest power in Tamil Nadu.

Although VCK founder and Chidambaram MP Thol. With Thirumavalavan’s repeated insistence that the DMK-led alliance is rooted in an ideology, the demand has again cast doubt on the future of the VCK’s continuation in the alliance.

While Mr Wanni Arasu conveyed the cadre’s aspirations to a private television news channel, some senior VCK leaders are confused as to how airing such expectations a full 18 months before the elections will help the party. But some feel that workers’ expectations should be voiced to keep them motivated.

‘This is not a demand. This is my personal wish and wish of the worker. Finally, the party president will decide. There is still one year left for the election. VCK is a strong party. My wish is that the seats should be commensurate with the strength of the party. It is not my intention to create tension in the alliance,’ said Arasu.

Responding to the comment, Mr. Thirumavalavan said it was Mr. Vanni Arasu’s personal opinion and not the party’s stand. “During seat allocation negotiations, we will only talk about the number of seats we want. We cannot pre-condition the number of seats. We have never done it,’ he said. He added, “We have contested in 10 constituencies as part of the DMK-led alliance. It is natural that we should contest in more constituencies. We will take the decision keeping in mind the demands of other alliances.”

A senior VCK leader said the party managed to earn a lot by being a key player in the DMK-led alliance. “Earlier, we protested to get things done. Today, we are able to meet those in power to get things done. Critics are wrong to say we have lost our character in protest. I see this demand as an aspiration to win more seats,” he said.

A VCK MLA said that while the party should aspire to multiple constituencies, finding candidates, identifying constituencies the party can win, and finding money to compete in multiple constituencies will be no small task.