The Crossbill News Desk
At a protest held on Saturday (May 16, 2026) against the recent increase in petroleum product prices, P. Shanmugam, State secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), clarified his party’s political position regarding government formation in Tamil Nadu.
Addressing journalists after the demonstration, he said the CPI(M), along with the Communist Party of India and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, had decided to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to ensure political stability in the State and avert the possibility of President’s Rule.
Talking to reporters after participating in a demonstration condemning the hike in the prices of petroleum products, Shanmugam made it clear that the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) had not supported the TVK, The Hindu reported.
“The TVK failed to secure a majority. Both the DMK and the AIADMK also could not get adequate numbers to form the government. The TVK is the only party that won the maximum number of seats, and it had the chance of forming the government. If it had not formed the government, President’s Rule would have been imposed in Tamil Nadu,” he said, explaining the reason behind supporting the TVK.
He said President’s Rule would have paved the way for the BJP to rule Tamil Nadu through the back door.
“We have prevented such an eventuality by supporting the TVK. The TVK should implement the promises it made to the people. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has promised good governance. Our support will depend on the performance of the government. We have supported him to avoid President’s Rule and prevent the formation of a government that would go against the verdict of the people,” he said.
Earlier, addressing the gathering at the protest venue, Shanmugam criticised the Centre over rising fuel and cooking gas prices, stating that the increase in commercial LPG cylinder prices had badly affected small businesses.
Speaking at the demonstration, he said the increase in the price of gas cylinders meant for commercial purposes had severely affected the hotel industry and resulted in job losses and the closure of hotels.
“The hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and gas will have a direct bearing on essential commodities. It will cause enormous hardship to the people. The Centre should withdraw the hike. The increase cannot be justified in the name of a rise in crude oil prices, especially since the Centre did not reduce prices when crude oil prices fell in the past,” he said.
The CPI(M) leader reiterated that public welfare and respect for the people’s mandate remained central to the party’s political decisions, while urging the Union government to roll back the fuel price increases in the interest of ordinary citizens.
Addressing journalists after the demonstration, he said the CPI(M), along with the Communist Party of India and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, had decided to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to ensure political stability in the State and avert the possibility of President’s Rule.
Talking to reporters after participating in a demonstration condemning the hike in the prices of petroleum products, Shanmugam made it clear that the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) had not supported the TVK, The Hindu reported.
“The TVK failed to secure a majority. Both the DMK and the AIADMK also could not get adequate numbers to form the government. The TVK is the only party that won the maximum number of seats, and it had the chance of forming the government. If it had not formed the government, President’s Rule would have been imposed in Tamil Nadu,” he said, explaining the reason behind supporting the TVK.
He said President’s Rule would have paved the way for the BJP to rule Tamil Nadu through the back door.
“We have prevented such an eventuality by supporting the TVK. The TVK should implement the promises it made to the people. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has promised good governance. Our support will depend on the performance of the government. We have supported him to avoid President’s Rule and prevent the formation of a government that would go against the verdict of the people,” he said.
Earlier, addressing the gathering at the protest venue, Shanmugam criticised the Centre over rising fuel and cooking gas prices, stating that the increase in commercial LPG cylinder prices had badly affected small businesses.
Speaking at the demonstration, he said the increase in the price of gas cylinders meant for commercial purposes had severely affected the hotel industry and resulted in job losses and the closure of hotels.
“The hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and gas will have a direct bearing on essential commodities. It will cause enormous hardship to the people. The Centre should withdraw the hike. The increase cannot be justified in the name of a rise in crude oil prices, especially since the Centre did not reduce prices when crude oil prices fell in the past,” he said.
The CPI(M) leader reiterated that public welfare and respect for the people’s mandate remained central to the party’s political decisions, while urging the Union government to roll back the fuel price increases in the interest of ordinary citizens.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment