Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026: VCK returns to its roots in the south

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a Dalit-focused political party with roots in the DPI, is entering the Periyakulam (SC) constituency for the 2026 Assembly elections. The decision to field Sakthivel alias Attral Arasu, the party's deputy general secretary, as their candidate is seen as a strategic move to bolster the VCK's presence in the southern belt, a region where it has historically avoided contesting. The VCK's historical ties with Periyakulam, a constituency that was once part of Madurai district and boasts a diverse population of Scheduled Castes, Muslims, Christians, and caste Hindus, are being cited as reasons for this decision. The party hopes to leverage its past influence in the region, particularly during the 2006 Assembly elections when it supported O. Panneerselvam's campaign, to secure victory in the upcoming election.