Puducherry : CPM Tamil Nadu state secretary P Shanmugam on Friday lashed out at the political landscape in TN and the Union territory of Puducherry, accusing major political parties—including the TVK—of distributing cash for votes in ongoing assembly byelections.
He said TVK’s on-the-ground actions contradict its claims of principled politics. The widespread distribution of money to voters completely erases TVK’s self-proclaimed identity as a “pure force”. He said Vijay must answer to the public regarding these double standards.
Speaking to reporters in Puducherry, Shanmugam targeted TVK founder and Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay, questioning how a party claiming to represent a ‘pure political force’ (Thooya Sakthi) could indulge in unhesitating voter bribery. He claimed that alliances led by TVK, DMK, and AIADMK are fearlessly distributing money to voters, leaving the CPM as the only political party refraining from cash inducements. He alleged that the election officials are largely absent on the ground and have turned a blind eye to widespread violations and illegal cash flow despite prior warnings.
Shanmugam criticised Puducherry chief minister and AINRC founder president N Rangasamy for failing to bring tangible development to the Union territory or push effectively for full statehood for the territory. He emphasised that Left parties remain the sole voice raising core public issues inside the legislative assembly.