Chennai: For the first time since aligning with the INDIA bloc, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) shared a protest platform with Congress and its allies in Chennai on Thursday, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, ANI reported.
The demonstration, organised under the banner “Protect Democracy”, was convened by Congress MP B Manickam Tagore and the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC). It targeted alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, an issue that has triggered a broader political confrontation in the national capital as well.
Representatives of all seven constituents of the Tamil Nadu INDIA bloc participated in the agitation. TVK’s presence was particularly significant as it marked the party’s debut in a campaign pressing for the CEC’s removal after it entered the bloc on October 3.
School Education Minister A Rajmohan represented Chief Minister Vijay’s party at the protest. He was joined by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and MP Thol Thirumavalavan and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko.
Speaking to ANI, VCK leader SS Balaji said: “When the CJP raised their voice against Dharmendra Pradhan for his resignation, it came out very soon… At the end of the day, justice prevails, and democracy wins. You have several national parties in the INDIA bloc. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the number of parties is limited, and they (the TVK) have expressed their interest in joining the Tamil Nadu INDIA bloc… When the INDIA bloc meets at the national level, they will give their consent to the official entry of the TVK, but the TVK has joined the INDIA bloc…”
Congress MP Vijay Vasanth hit out at the Election Commission, alleging that it was acting at the BJP’s behest. “We are insisting on the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar… The Election Commission is working on behalf of the BJP, which is undemocratic… The BJP government does not listen to the people’s voice… In order to add strength, the TVK government is also joining this protest today…” he said.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) chief KM Kader Mohideen, Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary P Shanmugam, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPI (Marxist-Leninist) state secretary Pala Asaithamby were also among those who took part.
Nivedit Alva, the All India Congress Committee’s in-charge for Tamil Nadu, represented the Congress organisation at the demonstration.
The Chennai protest unfolded against the backdrop of strained ties between the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The DMK has kept away from Congress-led agitations and has accused its one-time ally of betrayal, underlining the growing distance between the two parties.