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The Left parties in Tamil Nadu, which are supporting the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government from outside, have warned that they could reconsider their support if the government continues to take major decisions unilaterally without consulting political parties.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] issued the warning on Saturday, September 19, when the CPI(M) staged a protest in Chennai against the proposed construction of a new Secretariat and Assembly complex at Pattinapakkam. The party has opposed the proposed site, citing its potential impact on fishing communities, and has sought an all-party meeting to discuss alternatives.
CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the TVK government was functioning with the outside support of the CPI(M) and the Communist Party of India (CPI), but warned that continued unilateral decision-making could force the Left parties to reconsider their position.
“Your government is continuing with the support of political parties such as the CPI(M) and the CPI. If you act and make decisions according to your whims, we will be forced to make a decision,” Shanmugam said at the protest.
Shanmugam also pointed to the TVK's vote share in the 2026 Assembly election, saying that securing around 34% of the votes did not mean that the government had the mandate of the entire state.
He said consultation with political parties should be the government's approach on major issues, irrespective of whether those parties were part of the government.
“You can place your arguments and we will express our stand on why we are opposing them. We can thrash out the issue and come to a conclusion. This is a democratic approach. What is the difficulty for the government in following this approach? Why does consultation taste bitter to you?” he asked.
The CPI(M) has opposed the proposed Secretariat site, arguing that it could affect fishing communities. The party has called for an all-party meeting to consider an alternative location.
Shanmugam also alleged that the TVK government had avoided consultation with political parties on other major issues, including the Cauvery water dispute and the proposed second airport. “The Chief Minister should come out with a statement that the Secretariat would not be constructed here. It will bring an end to the issue,” he said.
The government, meanwhile, has defended the proposed Secretariat project, with Minister A Rajmohan citing space constraints at the existing premises as the reason for the proposed new complex.
A day later, former CPI state secretary R Mutharasan said the TVK government depended on the support of the CPI and CPI(M) to remain in office.
“If the CPI and CPI(M) withdraw their support, the Assembly and Cabinet would no longer be there,” Mutharasan said.
He also said the Governor was waiting for an opportunity created by a withdrawal of support.
His comments came after TVK Minister Aadhav Arjuna questioned whether the Left parties had raised the issue of corruption during the previous DMK government. Mutharasan said the CPI had opposed corruption irrespective of which party was in power.
Mutharasan also criticised the TVK government's handling of questions raised in the Assembly, saying the Chief Minister and ministers should respond to issues raised by MLAs instead of diverting them.
The Left parties' position has become particularly notable ahead of the October 6 bypolls. The CPI and CPI(M) continue to support the TVK government from outside, but have decided to contest the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies separately. The CPI will contest Dharapuram, while the CPI(M) will contest Madurantakam.
The two constituencies fell vacant after All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MLAs K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama resigned and joined the TVK. The ruling party has fielded the two former AIADMK MLAs in the bypolls. The Election Commission has scheduled polling for October 6, with counting on October 9.
The Left parties have described the bypolls as an election imposed on voters. Shanmugam has also alleged that horse-trading was involved and said the resignations soon after the Assembly election went against the electorate's mandate.
The relationship between the Left parties and the TVK government has also been strained by Chief Minister Vijay's remarks and gesture referring to former Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin's detention under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency.
Shanmugam criticised Vijay and called on TVK ministers to read the Justice M M Ismail Commission report before commenting on Emergency-era arrests. “Without knowing history, one should not throw mud at the DMK out of anger. During the Emergency, former Chief Minister Stalin was attacked by the police and his jaw was broken,” he said.
Shanmugam also described Vijay's gesture in the Assembly as irresponsible and condemnable. “It is irresponsible and condemnable for the Chief Minister himself to have spoken in a manner that mocks Stalin. Turning the Assembly into a place for personal attacks and to praise one's own leader is unethical,” he had earlier said.
Vijay later said the gesture was not intended to hurt anyone and was not directed at anyone personally.
The CPI and CPI(M) extended outside support to the TVK government after the 2026 Assembly election, despite choosing not to join the Cabinet. TVK won 108 of the 234 Assembly seats, emerging as the single largest party but falling short of the 118-seat majority mark. The CPI and CPI(M) won two seats each.
Congress, VCK (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) joined the TVK-led government with ministerial representation, while the CPI and CPI(M) chose to remain outside the Cabinet.
The Left parties have said their decision to support the government was intended to respect the electoral mandate and prevent a situation that could lead to President's Rule in Tamil Nadu. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian has also said the decision was aimed at preventing the BJP from gaining power through an indirect route.
The TVK-led post-poll alliance with Congress, VCK, IUML and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) has been named the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance, with Vijay as its convenor. The CPI and CPI(M), however, are not part of the alliance. They have maintained their outside support while reserving the right to oppose government decisions and policies.