CPM state committee to decide stand on bypolls on September 13

CHENNAI: The CPM state committee will meet in Tiruchy on Sunday morning to decide the party’s stand on the upcoming Assembly bypolls to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said on Saturday.

Speaking after the party’s state executive committee meeting, Shanmugam said a detailed discussion was held on the political approach the party should adopt towards the two bypolls.

“As an important political decision has to be taken, we have decided to convene the state committee and take a decision with its approval. An emergency state committee meeting will be held in Tiruchy at 10.30 am on Sunday,” he said.

He said the state committee would take the final decision on the party’s position and the outcome would be announced by 2 pm on Sunday.

Asked about the CPI’s view that the bypolls were unnecessary and whether the CPM shared the view, Shanmugam said the party had already criticised the resignations of the MLAs that led to the vacancies.

“We had already stated our views when the MLAs resigned. We had criticised it as unhealthy politics and political opportunism. There is no change in our view,” he said.

On whether the CPM would support any party or extend outside support to the ruling party, Shanmugam said all aspects would be discussed at Sunday’s state committee meeting and the party’s final decision would be announced thereafter.