Chennai: VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Tuesday stated that participating in the cabinet does not mean VCK has officially joined the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam alliance.Speaking to reporters after paying tributes to social reformer Rettaimalai Srinivasan in Chennai, Thirumavalavan said though there was a meeting of parties that have supported TVK, an alliance has not taken shape yet. “VCK participated in the July 1 meeting of friendly parties hosted by TVK to discuss the formation of a coalition front. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay held discussions with the leaders. However no final decision was reached during the meet. This indicates that the alliance under TVK’s leadership is yet to fully take shape,’’ he said rejecting charges that he had switched alliance for the sake of power.Thirumavalavan said he had responded to this charge in the past too stating that VCK’s bond with DMK continued. However, it was DMK which gave VCK a `shock’ by inducting a senior VCK functionary, Thirumavalavan said.Reacting sharply, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore said any party would become part of the alliance automatically when they join the cabinet. “If you are part of the cabinet, you are very much a part of that alliance. There is absolutely no need for wordplay here,” Tagore told reporters.Hours later, MDMK general secretary Vaiko voiced discontent at a public meeting over divergent views from parties supporting TVK. He urged alliance partners with differing opinions to address their grievances directly with the ministers concerned or the Chief Minister in person, rather than airing them through the media.
