Thiruma says he rejected proposal to make him CM

Chennai: VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan reiterated that the party was yet to take a decision on seeking a share in power in the TVK govt or on exiting the DMK alliance.Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Thirumavalavan said he was aware of the reports about attempts by DMK and AIADMK to make him the chief minister. "A few approached us with the proposal. But I did not agree,'' Thirumavalavan said.When asked if Congress had thwarted the proposal of making him the chief minister, Thirumavalavan said he had no information about the intervention of the Congress. He said VCK decided to extend support to TVK in a bid to prevent the possibility of governor's rule. Meanwhile, chief minister C Joseph Vijay called on Thirumavalavan in the evening. In an interaction with media after the visit, the VCK chief said Vijay's gesture reflected a "new approach" in Tamil Nadu politics rooted in political civility.On the AIADMK split and possible cross-voting during the trust vote scheduled for Wednesday, Thirumavalavan said the Speaker would ultimately decide the validity of votes if MLAs defied the party whip.Refusing to comment on the internal developments within the AIADMK, Thirumavalavan said the focus now should remain on the trust vote. "Everyone expects this govt to win the trust vote. In that sense, they (AIADMK MLAs supporting TVK on the floor) may have taken that decision," he said.Answering questions on controversy surrounding the appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit as officer on special duty, Thirumavalavan said that he could have been appointed in his capacity as spokesperson of TVK. Defending the move, he said appointing an astrologer to the post was different from being anti-secular and indulging in hate politics.Thirumavalavan said the VCK gifted Vijay a copy of the Preamble of the Constitution because of his outreach to secular parties instead of the NDA. "Secularism is a core principle in the Constitution. So, we gifted him the Preamble," he said.