CPI(M) leader P Shanmugam has openly campaigned against the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate in the Madurantakam Assembly by-election, despite the Left party continuing to support the TVK government.
The CPI(M) is contesting the Madurantakam by-election against the TVK, with its candidate Sugandhi in the fray. The contest comes amid growing differences between the two allies in the run-up to the by-election.
Addressing voters during the campaign, Shanmugam criticised the TVK candidate over her decision to resign from the Assembly shortly after being elected in the previous election and subsequently contest the same seat again.
Asking voters to question the candidate about her resignation, Shanmugam said, “Why did she resign? Why does she want to contest again for the same post? I want to appeal to the voters of the constituency on behalf of the Marxist Communist Party that when that person comes before you, you must certainly ask her this question.”
He further criticised the decision to resign and seek re-election, saying, “Resigning arbitrarily without any limits or ethics and then contesting again from the same constituency and asking to become an MLA again is something that should make the people question it. Without respecting the people who voted for her, without respecting the people who had already elected her, she resigned within 20 days. I want to raise this reasonable question among the voters of the constituency: Should you vote for and elect such a person again?”
Shanmugam then made a direct appeal against the TVK candidate, stating, “Therefore, I would like to appeal to the voters of this constituency that under no circumstances should the person contesting here on behalf of TVK win.”
He warned that a victory for the TVK candidate could encourage elected representatives to resign for political gain and switch parties after securing election victories.
“If she wins despite this, it could encourage such actions in the future—contesting, winning, resigning again for political gain and joining another party.”
Shanmugam clarified that his criticism was not personal.
“I have no personal anger against her. I do not even know who that person is.”
He reiterated his appeal to voters not to treat a victory for the candidate as an endorsement of elected representatives resigning shortly after being elected.
“But I would like to make a very humble appeal to the voters of the constituency that you should not vote in a manner that would amount to giving recognition to elected representatives leaving after resigning within 20 days.”
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