Rumblings in Tamil Nadu’s ruling alliance Premium

Tensions rise in Tamil Nadu ruling alliance as CPI(M) leader criticises DMK government, sparking debate on governance models.

There are tensions within the ruling alliance in Tamil Nadu after outgoing CPI(M) State secretary, K. Balakrishnan, launched a scathing attack against the DMK government, which leads the alliance, last week.

Mr. Balakrishnan accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of having imposed an “undeclared emergency” in Tamil Nadu, pointing out that permission is denied even for protests demanding pattas. He also said the CPI(M) could not get permission for a procession in connection with the 24th party State conference.

Addressing the conference, he said: “We thought we would be allowed to carry out a red-flag march. We got no assurance until the last moment and then we were told that permission would not be granted. Should not people organise a procession in Tamil Nadu? Should not an affected citizen fight for his rights? Why does the government fear demonstrations?”

There could be reasons for his anger. But what upset the DMK was Mr. Balakrishnan’s rejection of the Dravidian model, touted as a socially and economically equitable model of governance by the DMK. “A Left model would be better than a Hindutva or Dravidian model. The best alternative for the people of Tamil Nadu is the Left,” he declared.

Over the last few weeks, the Opposition has been criticising the DMK government for the “poor” law-and-order situation in the State after a female student was sexually assaulted in the campus of Anna University. So far, the police have denied permission to organise protests “seeking justice” for her. Mr. Balakrishnan’s speech, which went viral on social media, offered fodder for the Opposition. The AIADMK’s Information Technology wing said that the allegations by the DMK’s alliance partner indicated that the DMK regime was oppressive.

Mr. Balakrishnan also said that his party’s presence in the anti-BJP alliance in the State would not automatically make it part of the DMK front.

The only solace for the DMK came from former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, who said that his party would stand firmly with it in the fight against communalism, imposition of Hindi, and other issues. While Mr. Balakrishnan also made a similar commitment, he said that the CPI(M) would continue to fight for the rights of the working class, farmers, teachers, and government employees if the DMK government deprived these sections of their rights and failed to fulfil its promises.