TVK Alliance Faces Fresh Strain? Left Parties Exit Vijay Camp, Go Solo in Bypolls

TVK-Left Rift Deepens? CPI, CPI(M) Go Solo in Tamil Nadu Bypolls Despite Backing Vijay Government

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) may have a new political headache on its hands after the Left parties decided to contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly bypolls independently. The Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) will field candidates separately in the October 6 bypolls, even as both continue to support the Vijay-led TVK government from outside.

The CPI has chosen Dharapuram, while the CPI(M) will contest Maduranthakam. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said his party would fight without entering into an electoral alliance. CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam similarly described the decision as a “lone fight” by the Left.

The move underlines a key feature of the current arrangement: the Left parties support the TVK government, but have stopped short of becoming formal partners in Vijay’s electoral alliance.

CPI, CPI(M) Skip Key TVK Meeting

Signs of the growing distance emerged when both Left parties skipped TVK’s September 9 coordination meeting. The meeting was organised to bring together alliance partners and discuss a common minimum programme. However, the CPI and CPI(M) had also stayed away from an earlier coordination meeting in July.

Shanmugam said the CPI(M) chose not to participate because the September meeting was focused on building a new alliance under TVK’s leadership.

He also questioned the functioning of the Assembly and indicated that the CPI(M)’s support for the government cannot be taken for granted for the entire five-year term. The party, he said, would assess the government’s policies and approach before deciding its future course.

The CPI has adopted a similar position. Veerapandian said his party would continue supporting the government from outside, arguing that doing so respected the people’s mandate and helped prevent an indirect BJP government from taking power.

However, the CPI has maintained that it is not part of any formal alliance with TVK and remains free to make its own electoral decisions.

• Policy Differences Add to the Unease
• The Left’s reservations appear to extend beyond the question of contesting the bypolls.

The CPI(M) has raised concerns over the government’s economic and policing policies, its approach towards workers and the functioning of the Assembly.

Shanmugam has criticised the House, alleging that it was increasingly becoming a “fighting forum” instead of a place for meaningful debate. The party has also voiced opposition to issues such as privatisation, outsourcing and restrictions surrounding democratic protests.

Other developments have reportedly added to the Left parties’ concerns. These include the reported collection of Communist Party members’ details by a tahsildar in Gujiliamparai and a government communication concerning political and student activities on campuses.

Taken together, these issues appear to have made the CPI and CPI(M) cautious about formally associating themselves with the TVK-led alliance.

• TVK Makes Efforts To Keep Left Onside
• TVK has not been passive.

Ahead of the September 9 meeting, four senior TVK ministers reportedly met the state secretaries of the CPI and CPI(M) and invited them to join the alliance discussions.

According to The New Indian Express, the Left parties were also approached about joining the government. Both, however, declined ministerial positions.

The outreach came amid concerns among some alliance partners over issues including the projection of Vijay as a potential prime ministerial candidate and a Chief Secretary’s circular linked to student protests.

Despite the efforts, the CPI and CPI(M) did not attend the September 9 meeting.

The alliance later adopted the name Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance, with Congress, VCK, MDMK and IUML representatives participating. The absence of the two Left parties stood out.

Support Vijay, But Fight Elections Alone

For now, the CPI and CPI(M) do not appear to be breaking with the TVK government.

Their position is more nuanced: they are prepared to support Vijay in governance while refusing to automatically surrender their independent political and electoral identity.

That distinction could become a major factor as TVK prepares for future elections.

The October 6 bypolls in Dharapuram and Maduranthakam will therefore be closely watched. Apart from testing the electoral strength of the respective parties, the contests could provide an early indication of whether TVK can keep its broader support base together—or whether the gap between Vijay and the Left continues to widen.