In a significant political move, Puthiya Tamilagam president K Krishnasamy has issued a clarion call for the Devendrakula Vellalar community to consolidate its strength and emerge as a decisive force in the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. He made this appeal during his address at the party's seventh state conference, held under the banner 'Puthiya Tamilagam Vellum,' in Madurai on Wednesday evening.
From Caste Identity to Political Power
Krishnasamy emphasised a strategic shift for the community, moving beyond mere caste identity. "We cannot achieve anything by simply mentioning our caste; we can only succeed if we transform caste into political power," he stated. He argued that true progress would come from leveraging their collective numerical strength into tangible electoral influence, making them a determining factor in the state's political landscape.
Launching a sharp critique against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Krishnasamy accused the government of failing the Adi Dravidar communities. He claimed that over the last five years, more than 25,000 high-ranking government positions that rightfully belonged to the Devendrakula Vellalar and Paraiyar communities were not granted. He lambasted other opposition parties for their silence and for not raising this critical issue in the state assembly.
Criticism of DMK and a Call for New 'Weapons'
The Puthiya Tamilagam leader did not mince words when targeting Chief Minister M K Stalin, labelling him as "arrogant." He alleged that other political parties were complicit in "helping him commit mistakes." Specific grievances included the DMK's failure to honour its pre-poll promise of cancelling the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). He also questioned the state government's rationale behind imposing prohibitory orders in Thiruparankundram after a court had directed the lighting of the traditional Karthigai deepam there.
Charting a new course for the community's struggle, Krishnasamy invoked a powerful metaphor. "In the past, weapons might have been necessary to fight oppression and untouchability practised against us. However, in 2026, we must take up the weapons of love and knowledge," he declared, urging a peaceful and intellectually driven political mobilization.
Key Resolutions and New Initiatives
The conference saw the passage of 36 resolutions outlining the party's demands and vision. Prominent among these were:
- Urging the government to allot 2.5 acres of land each in Manjolai to all families of tea plantation workers in the area.
- Abolishing the practice of "vote-for-cash."
- Ensuring the lighting of the Karthigai deepam atop the Thiruparankundram hill as per the court order.
- Bringing the Devendrakula Vellalar community under the unified platform of Puthiya Tamilagam.
As a concrete step towards community organization, a centre named 'World Devendrakula Vellalar' was inaugurated in Madurai during the conference. The event was attended by party youth wing president Shyam Krishnasamy along with numerous state and district-level functionaries, signalling a concerted effort to build momentum for the 2026 electoral battle.
