Congress Boycotts Vaiko’s ‘Equality March’ Over LTTE Leader’s Photo on Invite
Congress boycotts Vaiko's Equality March over alleged photo of LTTE leader Prabhakaran on invitation.
The Congress party on Friday chose to boycott the ‘Equality March’ led by MDMK founder Vaiko, which was flagged off by Chief Minister MK Stalin from Tiruchy to Madurai. Party leaders cited objections to the invitation, which allegedly carried a photograph of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. The decision meant even local Congress functionaries stayed away from the event.
Speaking to The New Indian Express, Tiruchy City Congress president Rex confirmed the party’s absence, saying, “We were uncomfortable with the image used in the invite, and hence chose not to participate.” However, no such photographs were visible at the venue, and none were displayed on banners or flex boards during the march.
Despite Congress skipping the event, other constituents of the DMK-led alliance participated actively. VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan, Indian Union Muslim League leader Khader Mohideen, and representatives from CPI and CPM joined the flag-off, alongside local body representatives and members of the public, showing continued support for the march.
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Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan, whose name also appeared on the invitation, did not attend the march. MNM general secretary A Arunachalam explained that Haasan was out of the country at the time, though the party remained represented on stage and in the public mobilisation.
Vaiko described the Equality March as both a political and ideological mobilisation to consolidate secular and social justice-oriented voters ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. He emphasized that the padayatra aims to strengthen the DMK-led alliance and counter divisive forces across the state, seeking to ensure the coalition’s electoral success.
Attempts to contact Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai for comment on the boycott were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the march continued with full participation from DMK allies, highlighting the contrast in response between Congress and other alliance partners to the controversy surrounding the invitation.
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