CHENNAI: CPM state secretary P Shanmugam on Saturday put Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on the spot by asking whether he intended to run the government through officials or continue in power with the support of Left parties, amid a row over a Higher Education Department circular targeting Left-affiliated student and youth organisations.
"Are officials under the control of the Tamil Nadu government or is the government under the control of officials?" Shanmugam asked, demanding the removal of Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar and action against Gujiliamparai tahsildar Ayyasamy.
Addressing a CPM protest at Saidapet, Shanmugam alleged that a circular issued by the Higher Education secretary, directing officials to closely monitor Left parties, student and youth organisations was a serious infringement of democratic and constitutional rights. While a subsequent circular issued by the Collegiate Education commissioner was withdrawn after protests, the communication sent to university registrars and the Directorate of Technical Education remained in force, he said.
Shanmugam said Sai Kumar, whom he held responsible for the circular, should be issued a notice and subjected to an inquiry. "Why should a person who does not have this basic understanding continue as Chief Secretary when Tamil Nadu has several qualified IAS officers?" he asked.
He also questioned the government's handling of the Gujiliamparai tahsildar controversy. Revenue minister Sengottaiyan had told the Assembly that Ayyasamy was sent to conduct a survey and was recalled after the government learnt of the matter at 8.30 pm on August 18. However, Shanmugam pointed to the collector's report stating that Ayyasamy had come for training and was relieved of his responsibility in the afternoon before being sent to the commissioner's office in Chennai.
"If he was relieved in the afternoon, how did the minister take action against him at 8.30 pm?" he asked. Shanmugam said if the minister gave incorrect information in the Assembly, the Speaker should initiate breach of privilege proceedings. If the collector's report was incorrect, then action should be initiated against him, he said.
Taking aim at the chief secretary, Shanmugam said the circular came after a July 28 meeting chaired by Sai Kumar, even though protests by Left student and youth organisations against NEET had concluded on July 25 and 26. "Why are Left organisations being targeted? Are they against democracy?" he asked.
Shanmugam also questioned the extension of Sai Kumar's tenure as chief secretary.