DMK Calls Vijay ‘Opportunist’, Dubs TVK Bloc ‘Cash-Box Alliance’

The ruling TVK’s alliance came under sharp attack from the opposition DMK on Friday, with party mouthpiece Murasoli branding Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay an “opportunist” and mocking the newly formed bloc as an “Opportunistic Cash-Box Alliance.”

In an editorial, Murasoli said Vijay had joined hands with parties he had previously dismissed as “and others” and accused of being part of a “cash-box alliance”. It said Vijay had now brought together the same parties and was standing alongside their leaders after once questioning their political relevance.

The editorial referred to the ruling bloc being named the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance, while taking a dig at a photograph showing Vijay with TNCC chief B Manickam Tagore, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, IUML chief KM Khader Mohideen and MDMK leader Vaiko.

The DMK mouthpiece also recalled Vijay’s earlier criticism of the DMK-led alliance, which he had compared to a broken glass pieced together and a torn cloth that had been stitched.

Murasoli claimed Vijay failed to secure the 118 seats required for a majority and had to depend on legislators from parties that had won seats as part of the DMK-led alliance. It alleged that Congress, VCK and IUML legislators were accommodated in the government through ministerial positions.

The editorial further alleged horse-trading, citing Vaiko’s reported claim that Vijay had asked two MDMK MLAs to resign after promising to help them win bypolls.

It also highlighted earlier remarks by Thirumavalavan criticising Vijay for allegedly attempting to break the VCK away from the DMK alliance.

Murasoli said the same leaders were now standing alongside Vijay, concluding that “opportunism” was visible in the alliance and arguing that the bloc deserved to be called an “Opportunistic Cash-Box Alliance” using Vijay’s own earlier political language.