Lamenting the absence of prominent Dalit leader Thol Thirumavalavan at the launch of a book of essays honoring BR Ambedkar, actor-turned-politician Vijay on Friday took aim at the DMK-led ruling alliance in the state, saying they are “fully alive to their alliance. Counts” will “count them” by the people in 2026. (When assembly elections are about to be held in Tamil Nadu.)
The book launch was already mired in controversy over Thirumavalavan’s decision to stay away from the show. Thirumavalavan is the leader of Viduthlai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), an ally of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. He initially agreed to share the stage with Vijay at the event but backed out. Vijay drew a lot of laughs from the DMK at his first political rally in October.
“Thol Thirumavalavan could not come here. He cannot even attend the launch of a book honoring Ambedkar,” Vijay said at the launch of the book titled. Ellarukumna Thalaivar Ambedkar (Ambedkar: A Leader for All), published by Vitan Publications.
“If I accept all those pressures within coalition politics, I am sure his mind was completely on this program,” Vijay said.
Beginning his speech endorsing Ambedkar, Vijay asked, “What would Ambedkar be disturbed by today’s India if he had lived?” Then he started criticizing the state and central government.
He brought up the Centre’s failures in the Manipur conflict, and criticized the Tamil Nadu government over the unresolved Vengaiwail case, where, in 2022, human faeces were found in a tank supplying water to Scheduled Caste residents.
“If Ambedkar saw this now, he would be speechless with shame,” said Vijay.
“Ritualistic tweets and statements on people’s issues, and pictures staged in the rain – these people do not stand up,” he added, adding, “We need a people’s government, one that really stands with the people.”
Initially planned to feature Chief Minister MK Stalin along with Thirumavalavan, the book launch has changed its guest list and schedule, with Vijay replacing Stalin as the chief guest. Thirumavalavan had initially agreed to share the stage with Vijay before launching his own political party in October.
In a statement on Friday morning, Thirumavalavan said, “Being part of the DMK alliance, my presence (at the book launch) would have been politicized.”
At the event, Vijay said, “Those who cannot respect the needs of the people and are fully living on the calculations of their coalition – I want to remind you, your hopeless coalition calculations will be destroyed by the people themselves in 2026.”
Controversy surrounding the book launch also arose from the fact that the event was co-organised by Voice of Commons, a political brand strategy firm owned by Aadhav Arjuna – Thirumavalavan’s Deputy Secretary General of VCK.
Arjun, son-in-law of controversial lottery kingpin Santiago Martin, joined VCK earlier this year. Before that, he was close to the DMK’s internal strategy group controlled by Stalin’s son-in-law Sabrisan and other confidants.
His role in facilitating Vijay’s participation in Friday’s book launch event has further fueled speculation about the growing tension between the DMK and the VCK.
In recent months, Arjun has directly targeted Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, calling him “just a film actor climbing the ladder fast”, and criticized the DMK alliance for refusing to share power with allies like the VCK. Although Thirumavalavan has consistently denied speculation of a rift within the DMK alliance, it is significant that Arjuna has not faced any action in the VCK.
Prominent public intellectual Anand Teltumbde and former Madras High Court judge K Chandru were also present at the book launch.