CPM Alleges Centre-State Conspiracy to Target Left Parties at Chennai Protest

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam alleged a possible Centre-state conspiracy to target Left parties while addressing a protest in Chennai on Saturday. He cited a government directive restricting students from participating in demonstrations organised by Left parties, as well as an initiative by the Gujiliamparai tahsildar to collect details of Left functionaries in Dindigul district.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks concerning "dimagi (intellectual) naxals," Shanmugam questioned whether the Union and state governments were coordinating actions against the Left. He stated that the circulars raised suspicions of a coordinated effort between the Centre and the state.

Addressing the state leadership, Shanmugam asked Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to decide whether he preferred officials to run the administration or wanted to continue in office with the support of Left parties.

Shanmugam also demanded the removal of Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, raising questions over the extension of the official's tenure following his appointment by the Election Commission. Addressing the actions of the Gujiliamparai tahsildar, Shanmugam termed them illegal and stated that transferring the official to Chennai could not be regarded as adequate action.

Separately, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian spoke to reporters at Balan Illam regarding the issue. Veerapandian sought an official explanation from the chief secretary over the directive preventing students from participating in protests organised by Left parties.