Vaiko spoke for Tamils, marginalised in Parliament for 30 years, says Durai Vaiko

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) principal secretary and Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko on Friday said party founder Vaiko had spent three decades in Parliament voicing the concerns of Tamils and marginalised communities. His tenure as a Rajya Sabha MP formally ended earlier this week.

Addressing the media at the Coimbatore airport, Durai Vaiko said his father first entered Parliament in 1978 with the support of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. “From interlinking of rivers and Eelam Tamils to labour rights and social justice, he raised issues that mattered to the people,” he said.

He recalled that Vaiko had introduced a private member bill on river-linking and was among the first to demand a national holiday on May Day.

Durai Vaiko added that the MDMK would hold a large public conference in Tiruchi on September 15. “It will be an important moment in the run-up to the Assembly elections. Strengthening the party’s organisation is our focus now.”

To a question about Mallai Sathya he said, “Let us not get caught in diversions. Our concern is with the people’s issues. That’s what we will speak about.” On alliance talks and seat-sharing, he said discussions had not begun and the party would comment at the appropriate time.