‘Muttatthengu’ in Tamil Nadu: DMK takes ‘bent coconut tree’ jibe at VCK over CM Vijay’s cabinet | India News
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu is witnessing a literary war between the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam after senior DMK leader A Raja used the metaphor of a ‘coconut tree bending into a neighbour’s house’ to take a swipe at VCK and Indian Union Muslim League joining the cabinet of chief minister Vijay under the newly formed TVK government.The political confrontation comes amid a major realignment in Tamil Nadu politics following the recent assembly elections, where actor-turned-politician Vijay led the TVK to emerge as the single largest party with 108 seats, ending decades of dominance by the DMK and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).The tensions escalated after VCK MLA Vanni Arasu and IUML MLA A.M. Shahjahan were inducted into Vijay’s cabinet following the recommendation of the chief minister.Soon after the induction, A Raja posted a literary jibe on X targeting the changing political alignments.Also read: DMK’s Stalin takes jibe at Tamil Nadu CM Vijay: ‘Became CM by influencing children through Instagram’Referring to the Tamil literary expression ‘muttatthengu’- loosely meaning a coconut tree planted in one’s courtyard that bends towards the neighbour’s house to offer fruit and water, Raja wrote:“If the coconut in my home gardenbends overand offers tender waterto the opposite house,in literature,that would be named‘muttatthengu’!What name should we give it in politics?Long live Tamil!”The post quickly triggered sharp responses from VCK leaders and the ruling TVK camp.
VCK hits back at DMK
Responding strongly, the VCK accused the DMK of arrogance and treating alliance partners merely as vote banks despite depending on their support for electoral victories.In a sharply-worded social media post, the party said: “The VCK did not grow because of the mercy of other parties! It was the hard work of the Panthers that shed blood and sweat across every corner of Tamil Nadu, safeguarded the vote bank of oppressed communities, and helped alliance parties secure victories.”Questioning the DMK’s criticism over alleged ‘party hopping’, the VCK further said: “What qualification do leaders of other parties have to speak about ‘party hopping’? Who allied with the Sangh Parivar (BJP) to defeat the Congress? Who was part of the Vajpayee cabinet and later opposed the very same BJP out of political self-interest? Tamil Nadu has witnessed many such political dramas.”The party also attacked the DMK on the issue of ‘power sharing’ and representation for marginalised communities.“We joined hands for ideology, and we have not even officially announced that we are leaving the alliance yet… then why this irritation already? Keep your so-called ‘social justice’ to yourselves — the same justice where you take votes from oppressed communities but refuse to share power with them!”The VCK added that the party’s growth came through decades of grassroots struggles.“The VCK movement has grown through the hard work of ‘Ezhuchi Thamizhar’ and the blood and sweat of millions of Panthers. Our respected leader Thol. Thirumavalavan knows very well what political strategy should be adopted at what time for the welfare of the party and the people,” the post added.VCK leader SS Balaji also responded poetically to the DMK leadership.“Power to the humble—What rage is there in it?Helplessness flings aboutSlander that will not sway you—Cross it in peace,To avoid the uncouth.If injustice persistsAnd you voice it all,Unable to damThe flames, you will burn up.”Also read: ‘Don’t do BJP politics’: DMK fumes as Vande Mataram played before state anthem at Vijay govt oath event
TVK accuses DMK of ‘arrogance of power’
The ruling TVK also entered the confrontation and accused the DMK of crossing the limits of political decency.In a strongly-worded statement posted on X, the party said Raja’s remarks mocking VCK and IUML’s stand on ‘power sharing’ reflected ‘the height of indecency’.“The tweet posted by DMK MP A Raja on his social media page mocking the positions taken by the VCK and IUML regarding the democratic principle of ‘power sharing’, and crossing the boundaries of political decency and ethics, is the height of indecency,” the statement read.The party further accused the DMK of displaying ‘arrogance of power’.“When parties rooted in social justice raise their rights or present alternative political views, criticising them in a degrading manner and speaking in a threatening tone only reflects the arrogance of power within the DMK.”The TVK also claimed that the DMK feared Vijay’s emerging political model and coalition politics.“The DMK leaders have begun losing their composure and ranting out of fear that the honest and inclusive political philosophy of power-sharing proposed by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam will dismantle their monopoly of family politics. You have now revealed your true face yourselves,” the statement added.
Why VCK backed Vijay government?
The VCK’s decision to support the TVK government marks one of the most significant political shifts in recent Tamil Nadu politics.Though no party secured a clear majority, VCK and IUML both long-time allies of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance extended support to Vijay’s government to prevent political instability and a possible President’s Rule situation in the state.VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan had earlier said the party decided to join the TVK-led cabinet after consultations with party office-bearers, adding that there was overwhelming support within the organisation.The VCK, which enjoys strong Dalit support, had contested the Assembly elections as part of the DMK-led alliance and won two seats.Following the fractured verdict, the party initially extended outside support to Vijay while continuing formally within the DMK-led alliance.Explaining the move, Thirumavalavan had said the decision was taken to ensure political stability and prevent President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu.“We are extending support to TVK for two reasons. VCK should not be a factor hindering Vijay from becoming CM, and Tamil Nadu should not come under President’s Rule,” he had said after handing over the support letter to TVK leaders in Chennai.Even while extending support, VCK leaders had insisted the move was a ‘functional necessity’ and not an ideological shift.“Our support is a functional necessity to prevent a constitutional vacuum, not a validation of ideology,” VCK general secretary D Ravikumar had said earlier.
