Chennai, September 13 (Daily Kiran) : Leftist parties in Tamil Nadu have decided to contest the upcoming by-elections for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly seats independently. They will continue to provide external support to the Tamilaga Vetrikazhagam (TVK)-led state government. This announcement was made by party sources on Sunday.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will field a candidate for the Madurantakam seat, while the Communist Party of India will contest in Dharapuram. This decision was reached following separate meetings of the state leadership of both parties on Saturday.
P. Shan Mugam, the state secretary of CPI(M), informed reporters in Tiruchi that the decision to enter the electoral fray came after discussions with the CPI and CPI(ML) Liberation. He noted that the leftist parties are not part of any of the three major political alliances currently active in Tamil Nadu.
Shan Mugam emphasized that these by-elections are neither general elections nor will they determine the survival of the TVK government. Therefore, the CPI(M) and CPI have decided to contest one seat each under the banner of the left front.
The names of the candidates will be announced on September 15 during a meeting of the state secretaries of CPI(M), CPI, and CPI(ML) Liberation in Chennai. The last date for filing nominations is September 16.
M. Veer Pandian, the state secretary of CPI, confirmed that the party’s state executive has decided to maintain its previous stance of staying out of existing alliances. He reiterated that the CPI will contest from Dharapuram and CPI(M) from Madurantakam.
Veer Pandian explained that the CPI had supported the TVK government from outside after the state assembly elections to honor the people’s mandate and to prevent any indirect control over administration by the Governor or the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Both leaders clarified that their decision to contest the by-elections does not imply a withdrawal of support from the state government.
Shan Mugam pointed out that the leftist parties have several disagreements with the TVK government, including aspects of the budget and the implementation of liberal and neo-liberal economic policies. These issues will be raised during the election campaign.
He also criticized two TVK candidates who won elections on AIADMK tickets but joined the TVK shortly after resigning within 20 days.
CPI(M) will reach out to parties outside the three major alliances for support.
Shan Mugam urged the state government to publicly disclose details of foreign investments and provide more financial, tax, and loan assistance to domestic and small industries.
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