CPI(M) Says Support to Vijay Government Was to Prevent President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, May 16: Communist Party of India (Marxist) Tamil Nadu State Secretary P. Shanmugam on Saturday clarified that the decision of the CPI(M), along with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), to support the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government was taken primarily to prevent the possibility of President’s Rule being imposed in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to reporters after participating in a protest against the recent fuel price hike, Shanmugam said the support extended to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay should not be viewed as a collective decision of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA). Instead, he described it as a political and constitutional move by the three parties to ensure stability in the state and respect the mandate delivered by the people in the Assembly elections.

According to Shanmugam, the election verdict had resulted in a fractured mandate, with no major political alliance securing enough seats to independently form the government. He pointed out that both the DMK and AIADMK failed to obtain the required majority, while the TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly.

“In such a situation, the single largest party naturally gets the first opportunity to form the government,” he said, adding that denying TVK that chance could have pushed the state into political uncertainty.

Shanmugam stated that if the TVK had failed to form a government, Tamil Nadu could have faced the prospect of President’s Rule. He alleged that such a situation might have allowed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to indirectly expand its influence in the state through constitutional mechanisms.

“We wanted to prevent that possibility. Our support was intended to ensure that the people’s verdict was respected and that Tamil Nadu did not enter a phase of political instability,” he said.

At the same time, the CPI(M) leader made it clear that the continued support of the Left parties would depend entirely on the performance of the new government and its commitment to fulfilling promises made during the election campaign.

“Chief Minister Vijay has assured people of transparent and efficient governance. The government must now deliver on the assurances given to the public. Our future support will depend on how the administration performs,” Shanmugam stated.

Earlier in the day, Shanmugam participated in a protest organised against the recent hike in petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices. During the protest, he strongly criticised the Centre over the increase in fuel prices, claiming it would place a heavy burden on ordinary citizens and small businesses.

He particularly highlighted the impact of rising commercial LPG cylinder prices on the hotel and restaurant industry. According to him, many small and medium establishments were already struggling with increasing operational costs, and the latest price hike could lead to financial losses, layoffs and even closures.

“The burden of fuel and gas price hikes eventually falls on common people. Prices of essential goods and services will rise further,” he warned.

Shanmugam urged the Central government to immediately roll back the increase in fuel prices and take steps to protect the interests of working-class families and small business owners.

Team Maverick.