Former MLA and general secretary of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), S. K. Murugavelrajan, quit the party on Thursday along with his supporters in protest against e “wrong decisions” taken by G. K. Vasan. Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Murugavelrajan faulted the decision to join the DMDK-PWF alliance as the fight in this election was between the two major Dravidian parties. “It will take another 50 years for a third alternative to emerge in Tamil Nadu,” he said. He was also critical of Mr. Vasan for ignoring Dalit leaders like him while choosing nominees for the constituencies offered to the TMC. He questioned why Mr. Vasan was not able to get some of the reserved seats, like Sholavandan, Nilakottai, Manamadurai and Paramakudi, in south Tamil Nadu where the party had considerable following. By not doing so, Mr. Vasan had guided the TMC towards the “ destructive path,” he accused. Mr. Murugavelrajan, who had merged his outfit, Makkal Viduthalai Katchi, with the TMC at a function in Madurai on April 24, 2015, said that his supporters would work for the defeat of the Third Front, which was a “bundle of contradictions.” A meeting of his supporters would also decide on the revival of Makkal Viduthalai Katchi, He said that the stand taken by Viduthalai Chiruthai Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan was the reason for TMC not being able to get winnable seats. He accused Mr. Thirumavalavan of working against Dalit consolidation in the State.
