In a significant political development, Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary P Shanmugam has come out in strong support of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government's pension policy. He launched a sharp critique against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for his criticism of the newly announced Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS).
Shanmugam's Defence of TAPS and Counter-Attack
Shanmugam took to the social media platform X to voice his support. He directly addressed the AIADMK leader, questioning the basis of his criticism. The CPM leader highlighted that Palaniswami, often referred to as EPS, had dismissed TAPS as merely an election tactic without offering a substantive alternative. Shanmugam countered this by asking why the AIADMK, during its decade-long rule, failed to conceive and implement a superior pension scheme for government employees.
He pointedly reminded the public and his political opponent about a key historical fact. The old pension scheme was discontinued in 2003 under the AIADMK government led by the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. This move, Shanmugam implied, laid the groundwork for the current pension debate.
The Core Political Question
The veteran left leader posed a challenging question to the principal opposition party. "Even in your criticism, why did you not say that if AIADMK comes to power, you will implement the old pension scheme?" he asked. This query strikes at the heart of the AIADMK's stance, suggesting their position is one of obstruction rather than constructive policy-making.
Shanmugam's post concluded with a biting remark, accusing the AIADMK leadership of being capable only of fault-finding. "You can only find fault, but can't fulfil anything," he stated, encapsulating his argument that the opposition lacks a viable plan for the state's employees.
Implications for Tamil Nadu's Political Landscape
This public endorsement from the CPM, a key ally in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, strengthens the ruling party's position on a potentially populist policy. The defence of TAPS frames the DMK as a pro-employee government while painting the AIADMK as a party that removed a beneficial scheme and now criticises without offering solutions.
The exchange underscores the ongoing political battle over welfare schemes in Tamil Nadu, where such policies are often central to electoral narratives. By invoking the 2003 decision, Shanmugam has shifted some historical accountability onto the AIADMK, potentially influencing public perception among government employees and pensioners.
The debate over Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) is now firmly positioned as a point of contention between the ruling alliance and the opposition, with allies like the CPM playing a crucial role in shaping the narrative in favour of the government.
