CPM state secretary P Shanmugam making the announcement in Trichy
The candidates would be announced on Sept 15, said CPI state secretary M Veerapandian. Because the Left would have to campaign against the govt they support, said political watchers, though CPI and CPM have been critical of TVK, the decision has come as a surprise for many.
Their support for the TVK-led govt, however, would continue, the leaders said. Defending the decision, Shanmugam said support for the govt does not mean CPM should not adopt a position to strengthen the organisation. He said contesting the byelections did not mean that CPM was threatening the stability of TVK govt.
The decision was taken at state committee meetings of the two parties in Trichy and Chennai. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam on Sunday announced his party would contest in Madurantakam and that CPI would field a candidate in Dharapuram.
This is not a general election or an election to change govt,” he said. The Left leaders said the bypolls would be used to strengthen their presence in the assembly and amplify the voice of workers and ordinary people. “There was a strong sentiment in our executive committee meeting for this position,” he said. Veerapandian said drug abuse, law and order problems and lack of infrastructure would be raised in their campaign
“Nor does it mean that we support DMK. Left parties are not part of any of the three alliances. Veerapandian echoed the same. Shanmugam took an indirect dig at TVK for accommodating the resigned AIADMK MLAs, which has resulted in the bypoll.