Social Justice Supersedes Ministerial Posts, Says Minister Vanni Arasu in Assembly

CHENNAI — Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu stated in the Tamil Nadu assembly on Friday that the party's ideological commitment to social justice supersedes power and ministerial positions.

Speaking in Chennai during his reply to the demand for grants for his department, the minister emphasized that political posts remain secondary to the party's core mission of securing equality.

Vanni Arasu, who is the lone VCK minister in the TVK cabinet, recounted his political roots during his address to the state legislature. He stated that his journey began from the ashes of torched huts burned during communal clashes, noting that VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan had placed him in the ministerial seat.

The minister affirmed his readiness to step down from his government post whenever required by his party leadership. He stated that if the VCK chief calls him back to the battleground tomorrow, he will leave the ministerial office immediately and return to field work, reiterating that the party did not enter politics for positions or prizes.

Vanni Arasu also noted that the pursuit of social justice and equality was the sole foundation on which the party agreed to join the cabinet.

During his address, the minister thanked Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin and other Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders for their campaign support during his election. He recalled that the Leader of the Opposition had campaigned on his behalf, stating at the time that Vanni Arasu's victory was more important than his own.

While expressing personal gratitude to every DMK member who contributed to his electoral victory, Vanni Arasu remarked that none of the DMK leaders speaking on the other side bother to express gratitude to VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan. He emphasized that his party and its leadership remain worthy of that recognition.