Profile - Vaiko

Vaiko: the One Man Army


With all the known names of MDMK quitting the party, Vaiko is determined to meet the parliamentary elections facing bigger challenges.


Vaiko is not an obscure figure in Tamil politics. Since his entry into the scene in the 70s, Vaiko is known for his pro-LTTE statements and his unconditional support of the Sri Lankan Tamils. He is one of the few leaders in Tamil politics, who has all along stood in support of the Sri Lankan Tamils’ cause.

Born in an agriculturist family in the remote village of Kalingappatti in Southern Tamil Nadu, Vaiko developed a passion for politics during his student days in Palayamkottai and Chennai. Vaiko is a lawyer and also a post-graduate in Economics.

Vaiko was named Vai. Gopalsamy by his parents, but he preferred to be called “Vai. Go” (வை. கோ) by the political fraternity. An ardent supporter of the Dravidian Movement, he was inspired by Anna and joined Tamil politics. He was with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam until his exit in 1993. Vaiko accused DMK Chief M. Karunanidhi of supporting his son Stalin and playing dynasty politics.

During his days in the DMK, he was made a Member of Rajya Sabha in the party seat for three terms between 1978 and 1996. During his tenure as a Member of Rajya Sabha, Vaiko was nominated Member in Railway Convention Committee, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Committee on Petitions and Committee on Papers Laid on the Table.

After his exit from the DMK, Vaiko floated Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 1993. He was elected to the 13 th Lok Sabha in 1999 on a MDMK seat.

During his tenure in the Lok Sabha, Vaiko was nominated a member in Committee on External Affairs and its Sub-Committee-I, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Industry, Committee of Privileges, Committee on Defence, Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests and Committee on Ethics.

Vaiko was known for his oratorical skills in Parliament. He is called ‘Puratchi Puyal’ (புரட்சி புயல்)meaning a revolutionary hurricane by his party men.

Vaiko was arrested for his pro-LTTE statements during the Jayalalithaa regime in 2002. After having spent 19 months in prison, Vaiko was released when the AIADMK-led government decided to drop the charges against him.

Vaiko’s MDMK forged alliance with the Congress led United Progressive Alliance and contested four seats in the parliamentary elections in 2004 and won them all. But, Vaiko decided to change his state political equation and joined the AIADMK in 2006, prior to the Assembly elections. His party contested in as many as 35 seats, but managed to win only in six assembly constituencies.
Vaiko not only lost in the elections, but also lost two of his lieutenants L. Ganesan and Gingee Ramachandran, who parted ways.

Vaiko met United States President Barack Obama, prior to his election and discussed the draft of the former’s book, “Yes, We Can”. Vaiko promoted the Sri Lankan Tamils cause in Toronto and London and generated enough space for his political activism.

With the parliamentary elections announced in May 2009 in Tamil Nadu, Vaiko has fielded the Sri Lankan cause as major issue, since the neighbour Island is witnessing the killing the Tamil civilians in the attempt to sweep off the rebels. Asan attempt to mobolize the masses for the cause of the Sri Lankan Tamils and an indirect preparation for the approaching parliamentary elections, Vaiko has joined hands with Tamil separatist Nedumaran, CPI State Secretary D. Pandian, Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss and Viduthalai Chief Katchi Chief Thol. Thirumavalavan and formed the Eelam Tamils Protection Movement.

Notwithstanding his efforts to strengthen the AIADMK alliance, Vaiko’s friend and MDMK presidium chairman M. Kannappan quit the party and is expected to join the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on 17 March. Kannappan is the last known leader in the MDMK camp other than the party’s General Secretary.

Vaiko’s open support of the Sri Lankan Tamils has earned him a big name among the Tamil Diaspora and also could bring in some thousands votes to the AIADMK alliance in the coming elections. But what lies ahead of Vaiko are the bigger challenges of keeping big names from quitting his party apart from making the Sri Lankan issue work for him in the parliamentary elections in May 2009.