CPI(M) condemns the delaying tactics of the governor
Demands floor testing in Tamil Nadu Assembly to prove the majority
An unusual political situation is prevailing in Tamil Nadu. The last one week has been witnessing infighting inside the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam on the issue of who would control the party and the government. It has nothing to do with various pressing issues affecting the people such as drought, shortage of potable water, farmers’ suicides and attack on women and children. They remain unresolved and are in fact getting aggravated. Tamil Nadu is in a perilous condition with a caretaker Chief Minister and no elected representatives in local bodies, leaving the people in a lurch. The State also does not have a full-time Governor and the administration is paralysed. It is amidst this that an unhealthy struggle has broken out to capture power and take control of the property of the party.
Though it is the prerogative of the AIADMK MLAs to elect their leader, the haste with which Ms. Sasikala has moved in to become the Chief Minister raises many questions. The popular sentiment that it is not fair on her part to assume power when the verdict of the Supreme Court in the case involving her is likely to come out shortly is understandable. In the past, she did not play a key role either in the party or in the govt, but her efforts now to take on both the party and the chiefministership have not created an acceptability.
The caretaker Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is now raising serious allegations against Ms. Sasikala. But given his past record, he is not above board. He is answerable for the brutal violence unleashed on the last day of the jallikattu struggle, he is responsible for the callous attitude towards the issue of farmers’ suicides. One should not forget that he is very much in the midst of power struggle.
Meanwhile, BJP is trying to fish in troubled waters, utilising the opportunity provided by the death of Ms. Jayalalithaa. On the one hand, they are betraying the interest of the state and on the other they are attempting to obtain a foothold in the key southern State of Tamil Nadu. We should not underestimate the danger of their projecting communal politics which is opposed to the tradition of social justice and secular values of the state.
In this situation, the Governor should have initiated the constitutional process. But despite knowing the critical situation of the state, he did not come to Chennai and now after meeting the concerned parties, he is delaying to act. This is highly condemnable. There are many instances where the BJP govt is utilising governors to further their political interests in various states. Congress had the same approach in the past. The same scenario is being repeated in Tamil Nadu.
The CPI(M) demands that the Governor must uphold democratic principles and immediately ensure constitutional process of conducting floor testing to prove the majority without further delay.
The CPI(M) appeals to the masses to reject politics of power-mongering, corruption, casteism and communalism and rally around a political alternative based on pro people policies and ideology.