Elected DMK legislator swears in during official ceremony

Tamil Nadu: V C Chandrakumar Sworn In as MLA, Thirumavalavan Demands Action on Vengaivayal Case

V C Chandrakumar, a former Communist Party of India (Marxist) member, was sworn in as MLA from Erode East constituency on Monday, marking a significant win for the ruling DMK party. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Assembly in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and others.

The DMK's strength in the 234-member Assembly now stands at 133, following Chandrakumar's election. The Speaker, M Appavu, administered the oath to the newly elected MLA.

However, the day was not just about celebrations for the DMK. Veteran politician Thirumavalavan, who has been a vocal advocate for social justice, raised concerns about the Vengaivayal case. He asserted that the present FIR on the case is not final and demanded a commission of enquiry by a retired judge into the matter.

Thirumavalavan, who met the Chief Minister in the Secretariat, also placed four demands related to the case. He accused the AIADMK and Sangh Parivar of conspiring to boycott the polls and demanded an end to caste violence against SC/ST people. He reaffirmed that the State is a land of social justice and demanded the promotion of government officers belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes through Section 164-a of the Constitution.

The specifics of the Vengaivayal issue and the nature of the crime were not detailed in the discussions. The outcome of Thirumavalavan's demands was not specified in the paragraph.

Chandrakumar, in his statement to the media after the swearing-in ceremony, promised to fulfill the promises made to the people within a year. His victory is seen as a sign of a potential total sweep by the DMK in the 2026 Assembly polls.

The opposition benches, consisting of the AIADMK (66 members), PMK (5), BJP (4), Congress (18), and other allies (8 - VCK 4, CPI 2, and CPM 2), watched the proceedings with a keen eye. The Speaker, who was elected as a DMK candidate, remains unattached.

As the political landscape of Tamil Nadu continues to evolve, the Vengaivayal case and Thirumavalavan's demands are issues that will likely remain in the spotlight.