Chennai: Left parties in Tamil Nadu continue to provide outside support to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s government, but have decided to contest the upcoming Assembly bypolls independently amid growing differences with the TVK government in recent weeks.
The CPI and CPI(M) will contest the 6 October Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections as a separate alliance rather than join the TVK-led front. The CPI will field a candidate in Dharapuram, and the CPI(M) in Madurantakam. Both parties are expected to declare their candidates on 15 September.
The decision comes after the Left parties voiced concerns over transparency in the government’s claims about private investments made in the state, the proposed new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam, personal remarks directed at DMK president M.K. Stalin, and broader policy issues. Differences between the Left parties and the TVK government have, therefore, brought a new model to Tamil Nadu’s coalition-style government: while the Left continues to back the TVK administration, it maintains the freedom to criticise its policies.
Leaders of Left parties have described the bypolls, being held after the resignation of AIADMK MLAs who later joined the TVK, as “imposed”. However, they emphasised that the decision does not affect their support to the government.
The CPI and CPI(M) extended outside support to Vijay after the 2026 Assembly elections. The TVK had emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats but short of a majority. Left leaders cited respect for the mandate, avoiding President’s Rule, and preventing any indirect BJP influence as reasons for supporting the government.
However, CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam clarified that the Left parties are not part of a formal ruling alliance or cabinet. The two Left parties skipped coordination meetings of the TVK’s partners that now form the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance, comprising TVK, the Congress, VCK, MDMK and IUML.
The Left parties have said they reserve the right to criticise government policy concerning workers’ rights, economy, functioning of the Assembly, and other issues.
Shanmugam has indicated that continued support for the full term will depend on the government’s approach to economic and policing policies and its attitude toward the working class.
Without the two Left parties, which have four MLAs, the TVK-led coalition has 117 MLAs in the 228-member Assembly, which has seven vacant seats.
Sharpening differences
Differences between the Left and the TVK government have become more visible in recent weeks.
Shanmugam questioned the lack of transparency around investments attracted during the TVK government’s first 100 days.
The TVK held an investment conclave promising to attract Rs 1 lakh crore worth of investment in the first 100 days of governance.
Shanmugam called for a White Paper on the investments secured in that period and urged the government not to focus solely on foreign investments.
Chief Minister Vijay is on a trip to the UK to hold meetings with stakeholders in London to attract investments to Tamil Nadu.
Shanmugam said that instead of focusing only on foreign investments, the government must also provide the necessary facilities and support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within Tamil Nadu.
The Left parties have also opposed the government’s plan for a new integrated Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex at Pattinapakkam in Chennai and held protests opposing the same.
The proposal, estimated to cost around Rs 1,200 crore and covering roughly 25.55 acres near Vijay’s residence, has drawn criticism over the potential impact on fishing communities, traffic congestion, and the environment.
Shanmugam described the decision as hasty, saying it had led to opposition from local fisherfolk. He called for an all-party meeting to arrive at a consensus on a suitable location.
He suggested that alternative land for the proposed Secretariat should be considered. Earlier last week, CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian had similarly urged the government to drop the Pattinapakkam site, citing what he termed as risks to livelihoods of about 1,500 fishing families, coastal ecology, and access to the sea.
The CPI(M) had also criticised Vijay’s remarks in the Assembly referring to Stalin’s detention under MISA during the Emergency. A hand gesture made by Vijay was widely interpreted as mocking an injury Stalin suffered after being assaulted by police during the Emergency. The assault led to a broken jaw. Shanmugam condemned the episode as body-shaming and an irresponsible personal attack unsuited to the House, stressing that the Assembly should not be used for eulogies or personal attacks. Vijay later clarified that the gesture was spontaneous and unintentional, with no intent to hurt anyone.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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