Thirumavalavan opts out of contesting in TN assembly election, fields late dalit leader Illayaperumal’s son in Kattumannarkoil

CHENNAI: VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday said he decided against contesting in the April 23 Tamil Nadu assembly election and announced that Jothimani, the youngest son of late dalit leader L Illayaperumal, as the party’s candidate for Kattumannarkoil constituency. “It is my strategy,” he said, adding that the move was aimed at countering the narrative that he was contesting in anticipation of a hung assembly. He said his decision to enter the fray in Kattumannarkoil had been misrepresented, creating a wrong perception about his intentions.He said the choice of Jothimani was a mark of respect to Illayaperumal, who had fought against caste discrimination. Thirumavalavan expressed confidence that the DMK-led front would win more than 200 seats in the election, citing survey projections that indicated a comfortable victory.