CPI Leader Condemns Horse-Trading, Announces Solo Local Poll Fight

Taveka formed the government in Tamil Nadu after the assembly elections, securing power with support from Left parties, Congress, and VCK, despite not achieving a majority independently. While VCK, IUML, and Congress joined the cabinet, Left parties, including CPI and CPM, opted to support the government from outside. Recently, CPI and CPM notably abstained from an alliance meeting convened by TVK. The political landscape has seen six AIADMK MLAs resign their assembly memberships and join Taveka. This move has led political observers to suggest that Chief Minister Vijay is integrating AIADMK functionaries to bolster his administration's stability and prepare for the upcoming local body elections. Conversely, opposition parties have accused tvk of engaging in "horse-trading." Even some supporting parties have voiced criticism, though Taveka maintains that the AIADMK MLAs defected due to dissatisfaction with their former party's leadership.In this context, M. Veerapandian, State Secretary of the Indian Communist Party, spoke to a private newspaper, strongly condemning the ongoing "horse-trading." He stated, "Horse-trading is happening now. You and I are witnesses to it. We see it unfolding before our eyes. There is nothing to hide. This culture has gradually spread to Tamil Nadu from North Indian states. This is not good for the state, and it must be stopped."Veerapandian further described horse-trading as "a crisis for democracy and a violation of political ethics." He affirmed that Left parties oppose such practices, irrespective of whether the ruling or opposition party is involved. He clarified that CPI decided to support the Taveka government to protect democracy without compromising their ideology, emphasizing that their objective is neither to destabilize the government nor to exert pressure on it.Regarding the upcoming rural local body elections, Veerapandian announced that Left parties would contest independently to assess their organizational strength. He added that they are prepared to adopt this strategy in future elections if political circumstances necessitate it. The party has yet to decide on contesting the upcoming by-elections, with a decision to be made based on prevailing political conditions.