AIADMK functionaries criticise Thirumavalavan for his remarks that MGR, Jayalalithaa promoted Brahminism

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The observations of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder Thol. Thirumavalavan a few days ago about the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) founder-cum-former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran and his successor Jayalalithaa promoting Brahminism have come in for sharp criticism from a host of the latter party’s functionaries.

Two-time former MP from Tiruvallur (reserved) constituency, P. Venugopal, emphasises that based on his relationship with the two deceased leaders, “I can say loudly that their politics was not based on caste lines.”

Supporting SCs

On the contrary, they went “out of their way” to support Scheduled Castes. It was on MGR’s recommendation that Sathyavani Muthu, who was “hounded out” of the DMK, was made a Union Minister in the Charan Singh-led regime at the Centre, Dr. Venugopal recalls.

“When M. Thambidurai became Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha in 2014, Amma [Jayalalithaa] made me the parliamentary party leader and not V. Maitreyan [a Brahmin], who was a Rajya Sabha Member for about 10 years then. Not just that, she had pursued my case with powers that be in New Delhi and ensured that I was seated on the front row at the Lok Sabha alongside floor leaders of the BJP and the Congress, as the AIADMK was the third largest party. Our strength in the two houses of Parliament was once 50,” he recounts.

Former Minister D. Jayakumar questions whether Mr. Thirumavalavan has been used to deflect the public attention from the issue of agitation by a section of conservancy workers in Chennai. “MGR is loved by the people as he had implemented welfare schemes, transcending the barrier of caste,” the former Minister observes in a post on his social media handle.

AIADMK student wing State secretary Singai G. Ramachandran, who finished third in the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency during the 2024 poll, cites the action of MGR in replacing the hereditary system of Village Administrative Officers (VAO) with the system of appointing individuals as VAOs based on merit.

He refers to the instance of Jayalalithaa fielding Dalit Ezhilmalai in a general constituency — Tiruchi Lok Sabha seat — during the 2001 bypoll. Mr. Ramachandran gives the credit to the two former Chief Ministers for raising and safeguarding the quantum of communal reservation in excess of 50%.

Published - August 12, 2025 12:00 am IST

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