தேசிய முற்போக்கு திராவிட கழகம்: Why the DMDK–VCK War of Words Is Rocking the DMK Alliance

The தேசிய முற்போக்கு திராவிட கழகம் (DMDK) is trending in India — Google Trends recorded roughly 500 searches with 100% growth in the 24 hours to 18 September 2026 — after a sharp public exchange between DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leaders over seat-sharing inside the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu. Here is what was actually said, and why it matters beyond a routine political spat.

What triggered the dispute

Speaking at a wedding function, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan criticised the DMK's handling of alliance partners. He argued that when seats for long-standing allies were cut to accommodate a party that had "suddenly" joined the alliance, it was bound to cause unhappiness, and that the responsibility for maintaining harmony lay with the lead party. The remark was widely read as a swipe at the DMDK, which was allotted 10 seats after joining the DMK-led front, Vikatan reported.

Premalatha Vijayakanth hit back on 16 September 2026, accusing Thirumavalavan of changing his stance after the VCK secured a ministerial berth. She pointed out that the same Thirumavalavan had accepted DMDK founder Vijayakanth as the chief ministerial candidate of the Makkal Nala Koottani in 2016, and asked whether the criticism was driven by "jealousy or fear" over the DMDK's 10 seats, Dinamalar reported.

Thirumavalavan's clarification

On 18 September 2026, speaking to reporters in Cuddalore after paying respects at a Periyar statue, Thirumavalavan said his criticism was aimed at the DMK's seat-sharing management, not the DMDK. He noted that he had personally welcomed and justified the 10-seat allocation to the DMDK at the time, and that Premalatha had misunderstood his remarks. He also confirmed the VCK would campaign for the DMK alliance's candidates in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections, according to Vikatan.

At the same event, however, he asserted that the VCK had "evolved into a party capable of sharing governing power" by participating in the cabinet, and claimed this was causing "heartburn" to others — a comment that keeps the underlying tension alive.

The RSS allegation

The row escalated further when Social Welfare Minister Vanni Arasu (VCK) told reporters on 17 September 2026 that the DMDK had "bargained with both sides" before joining the alliance and alleged that the DMDK's ideology was essentially the RSS's ideology, Nakkheeran reported. This is a political allegation, not an established fact — the DMDK has historically allied with different fronts, including the BJP-led NDA in 2014, but describing its ideology as identical to the RSS is the minister's partisan characterisation.

Why this matters for the DMK alliance

The exchange exposes a structural strain inside the ruling front: newer entrants receiving sizeable seat shares can unsettle older allies, especially when one of those allies now holds a cabinet post and frames itself as a "governing party." With the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections approaching, both the VCK and DMDK have publicly committed to the alliance's candidates, so the dispute is, for now, rhetorical rather than a split. But the competing claims over who deserves how many seats — and who is in the alliance for power — signal that seat-sharing negotiations ahead of future polls could be contentious.

What is confirmed vs. what is rhetoric

• Confirmed: The DMK allotted 10 seats to the DMDK; Thirumavalavan criticised the DMK's seat-sharing approach; Premalatha responded on 16 September 2026; Thirumavalavan clarified his target was the DMK on 18 September 2026.
• Rhetoric: Claims of "jealousy," "heartburn," and the "RSS ideology" charge are partisan statements by the respective leaders, not verified facts.

The trending interest in தேசிய முற்போக்கு திராவிட கழகம் reflects this war of words rather than any formal break in the alliance — as of 22 September 2026, both parties remain inside the DMK-led front and have pledged to campaign together in the upcoming by-elections.