http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=509430
DPI 2 A former government employee, Thirumavalvan headed DPI to help Dalits since 1992. He was drawn to politics by Tamil Manila Congress founder late G K Moopanar during 1999 Lok Sabha polls, when he formed a minority-Dalit front to contest the polls. Thirumavalavan resigned from the government service to contest the polls from Chidamabram. In the 2001 assembly polls, he forged an alliance with DMK and won from Mangalore in Cuddalore district on the DMK symbol. During the 2004 Lok Sabha polls, he resigned his assembly membership to unsuccessfully contest from Chidambaram. In 2006, he joined the AIADMK front and his party won two assembly seats, but later he shifted to DMK-led DPA during the local body polls on the plea that his party did not get due recognition from AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa. Thirumavalavan said that the present decision to throw open the party to all communities would help make it a stronger organisation. "Now that we have decided to enroll members from all communities, we hope to rope in a major section of the society," he said.
