Left parties to skip TVK-led meeting to formalise ties

CHENNAI: In a major setback for the ruling TVK that is aiming to formalise the alliance arrangement with the parties backing its government, and also put together a formidable bloc to face the forthcoming local body and Lok Sabha elections, the left parties said on Tuesday (September 8) that it would not attend the meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister and TVK president C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday (September 9).

Last week, four TVK ministers had met the leaders of the parties that are sharing power and supporting the government from outside to invite them to the meeting on September 9.

The TVK emissaries had said the meeting was intended to form a new alliance under the party’s leadership, evolve a common minimum programme, and face the forthcoming local body and Lok Sabha elections, said CPM State secretary P Shanmugam.

“However, after consulting our party leadership, we have decided not to participate in the meeting,” Shanmugam said, but clarified that the decision would not affect the party’s support to the government.

Shanmugam said the party would directly inform the TVK of its decision not to attend the meeting, just as the ministers had personally invited the party.

The CPM would separately convey its suggestions to the government on issues concerning farmers, agricultural workers, workers and the people of Tamil Nadu.

It would send a written note outlining the measures it expects the TVK government to take, leaving it to the government to accept or reject them, he said.

Later in the day, CPI State secretary M Veerapandian, too, announced the party’s decision not to take part in the meeting.

Even while they supported the TVK to form an alliance and stake claim for power, and also supported the grouping during the confidence vote, the two left parties had decided not to join the government.

Since then, they have been acting as critics from inside over various issues.