Chennai: CPM state secretary P Shanmugam defended his party's support to the TVK government, stating that the decision was taken as other options, including an "AIADMK government backed by DMK," were untenable.
Shanmugam backs TVK government
Throwing his weight behind the TVK government, Shanmugam said TVK's victory cannot be downplayed as one obtained through "social media influencing," and that they had only highlighted the problems plaguing the state. Though TVK leaders were inexperienced, Shanmugam said he hoped the nascent administration would learn about governance soon.
CPM's rationale explained
In an article written by Shanmugam in CPM mouthpiece Theekkathir, shared on his X handle on Friday, he said the left party was being criticized for supporting TVK. There was no rationale in DMK getting upset about it, he said.
He said CPM had three options after the election results – support TVK, which won the most seats though short of a majority; back an AIADMK government with DMK support, or face President's rule and fresh elections.
Rejection of AIADMK-DMK alliance
Shanmugam said the party rejected the possibility of a DMK-supported AIADMK government as politically untenable. "We fought the election to keep AIADMK–BJP at bay. Voters had also defeated this alliance," he said.
CPM didn't want to allow President's rule either, as it would have handed political control of the state to the BJP-led Union government. Hence, CPM took the "right decision" of extending external support to TVK government.
Expectations from TVK
"TVK is duty-bound to set right everything that they had accused the DMK government of. People expect an end to corruption and bribery," he said. "If there are any anti-people decisions, we will oppose them," he added.
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