CPI(M) not to attend TVK coordination meeting on Sept 9

Got Question about the News? Chennai, Sep 8 (PTI) Tamil Nadu CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam on Tuesday said that the Left party will not participate in the coordination meeting convened by TVK on September 9 to discuss the upcoming parliamentary elections and forge an alliance. Shanmugam clarified that the party's issue-based outside support is to keep the TVK government stable in the Assembly. Addressing a press conference here, he said the party leadership arrived at the decision after holding internal consultations. TVK ministers who had formally extended the invitation in person will be directly met and informed about the party's decision to skip the meeting, he said. 'Our decision is not to participate in the meeting. Secondly, we have extended outside support to form the government and will remain intact," Shanmugam said, adding that the continuity of this support would depend on the government's functioning and policies. Referring to the proposed Common Minimum Programme, Shanmugam noted that the party is unaware of the proposals formulated by the conveners. The CPI(M) will submit a comprehensive written memorandum to the government outlining key demands and policy directions concerning farmers, agricultural labourers, workers, and the wider public of Tamil Nadu, he said. 'Whether the government accepts or rejects those suggestions is up to them, but as a party, we will formally present our proposals on the issues affecting the people," he said. Expressing dismay over recent developments in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Shanmugam criticised both the treasury benches and the opposition for reducing legislative proceedings to shouting matches. 'The Assembly is meant to debate public issues, find solutions, and enact laws. It should not be turned into a forum for mere shouting and confrontations," he remarked, emphasising that running the Assembly costs public money collected through taxes. He noted that while both sides share responsibility, the ruling party bears a greater obligation to uphold legislative traditions. Taking exception to the chief minister's reply to the debate on demands for grants for police and fire services, Shanmugam alleged that legitimate questions raised by legislators were left unanswered. 'The reply to a demand for grants must directly address the queries related to that department. Instead of answering the questions raised on the floor, extraneous matters were spoken about," he said. Responding to remarks made regarding detentions under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and the Sarkaria Commission, Shanmugam advised ministers to verify historical records before making statements. He cited the Justice Ismail Commission report submitted to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, which detailed the severe brutalities inflicted on political prisoners in Chennai central prison during the Emergency. 'Thousands of Marxists across the country were jailed under MISA and subjected to severe torture, with many spending more than a year behind bars. Calling those detained under MISA anti-social elements shows sheer ignorance," Shanmugam stated. He further dismissed references to the five-decade-old Sarkaria Commission as a 'diversionary tactic." Questioning why current issues and files are not being opened or acted upon, Shanmugam asserted that the CPI(M) has always maintained a steadfast stand that prompt and uncompromising action must be taken against anyone involved in corruption and irregularities. Both CPI(M) and CPI, with two MLAs each, are extending outside support to the TVK government. PTI JR JR KH The CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam stated that the party will not participate in the TVK's coordination meeting on September 9 because it is intended to discuss parliamentary elections and forge an alliance, which is not aligned with CPI(M)'s current issue-based outside support for the TVK government's stability in the Assembly. The CPI(M) is also unaware of the proposed Common Minimum Programme formulated by the conveners. The CPI(M) has extended issue-based outside support to keep the TVK government stable in the Assembly, a decision that remains intact. However, the continuity of this support will depend on the government's functioning and policies. The CPI(M) plans to submit a memorandum outlining demands concerning farmers, laborers, and the public. P Shanmugam criticized both the treasury benches and the opposition for turning legislative proceedings into "shouting matches," arguing that the Assembly should debate public issues and enact laws, not be a forum for confrontations. He also alleged that the Chief Minister failed to address legitimate questions during the debate on demands for grants for police and fire services.