CHENNAI: The TVK-led front comprising Congress, VCK, MDMK and IUML has been named ‘Madhachaarbatra Samooga Needhi Vettri Kootani’ (Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance).Chief minister C Joseph Vijay announced the name after an hour-long meeting with the alliance leaders at the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur.Vijay will be the chairperson of the front. VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said the alliance would continue to fight communal and Hindutva forces.“We have formed this alliance with a long-term vision to safeguard secularism, social justice and equality guaranteed by the Constitution. We will pursue our journey with these ideologies, while also facing and winning the elections that come along the way,” Thirumavalavan said at a joint press conference with leaders of the front.Vijay chaired the meeting but stayed away from the press conference. TNCC president Manickam Tagore said the front was built on a strong foundation and would function across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.“Our first objective is to face the bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram. The future course of action will be discussed and explained after the next round of consultations,” he said.Though Tagore declined to answer whether the alliance would accept Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Minister candidate, he said Vijay would back the candidate to be announced by INDIA bloc.“INDIA bloc would announce its PM candidate ahead of 2029. Vijay would campaign for that candidate,’’ Tagore said.MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the name of the alliance reflected the common minimum programme of the front. PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna said the alliance was not merely an electoral arrangement.He said, “This is an ideological front that goes beyond electoral politics and works for the people.” He added, “Secularism, social justice and victory are the three pillars of our alliance.”TVK general secretary K G Arunraj said the name reflected the core values accepted by all the alliance partners. “The name sends a strong message that this front will fight communal forces in Tamil Nadu and across the country,” he said.IUML leader Khader Mohideen said Vijay briefed the alliance partners on the achievements of the TVK govt in its first 100 days and assured them a corruption-free administration. “TVK has created history by forming a coalition govt. This will go a long way,” he said.Formation of the front marks a significant shift in the state’s political equations. The alliance partners’ decision to rally behind Vijay, after initial hesitation has given him a stronger platform ahead of the next round of elections.The Left parties stayed away from the meeting. “We felt that at this juncture, we don’t need an alliance. We will continue to extend outside support to the govt,’’ said CPI state secretary M Veerapandian.
