Secular parties joined DMK alliance to defeat BJP, says CPI State secretary

CPI leader claims secular parties unite under DMK to counter BJP's influence in Tamil Nadu's upcoming Assembly elections.

Tamil Nadu secretary of Communist Party of India (CPI) Mu. Veerapandian asserted on Thursday that secular political parties in the State have joined the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) to defeat the BJP in the upcoming Assembly election.

Addressing mediapersons here as part of an election campaign, Mr. Veerapandian said that during his public meetings, DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been concluding his speeches with a slogan “Tamil Nadu Vellum” (Tamil Nadu Will Win). Rather than being mere words, the slogan reflects the importance of democracy, federal structure, protection of State rights and secularism in the country. The secular forces in Tamil Nadu have united to prevent the BJP and Sangh Parivar from gaining a foothold in the State through the election,” he said.

The CPI leader slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) for acting in a biased manner in conducting the Assembly election in the State. Following the footsteps of Governors, the ECI has become a tool in the hands of the BJP-led Centre. “The opposition ruled States were deprived of their share of revenue, including GST, by the BJP at the Centre. The national party also crippled State’s finances on key sectors like health, education and social welfare by halting the release of funds,” he said.

Mr. Veerapandian criticised Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for giving empty talks during his election campaign. “Mr. Palaniswami does not have content to talk. There are no achievements during AIADMK’s decade long rule between 2011-2021, and he has no plans to implement welfare schemes for further economic growth. Personal attacks by the AIADMK leader only shows his vacuum in political thought,” the CPI leader said.