Published May 16, 2026 | 4:11 PM ⚊ Updated May 16, 2026 | 4:16 PM
Tamil Nadu CPI leaders with CM Vijay. Credit: x.com/tncpim
Synopsis: CPI’s Tamil Nadu State Committee meeting in Thiruvarur reviewed Assembly election results, noting the rise of TVK as the single largest party and pledging support to prevent BJP influence. Resolutions demanded rollback of fuel price hikes, restoration of MGNREGA, higher pay for guest lecturers, stricter fireworks safety, and rejection of the PM-SHRI scheme, while welcoming liquor outlet closures.
The Tamil Nadu State Executive Committee and State Committee meetings of the Communist Party of India (CPI) were held in Thiruvarur on 14-16 May under the chairmanship of leaders Kovai M. Arumugam, K. Kesavaraj (Thiruvarur), and G. Latha (Vellore).
The meetings were attended by CPI General Secretary D. Raja, State Secretary M. Veerapandian, senior leaders R. Mutharasan and Ko. Palanisamy, National Executive member T.M. Moorthy, MPs K. Subbarayan and Vai. Selvarasu, Deputy Secretaries N. Periyasamy and M. Ravi, MLA K. Marimuthu (Thiruthuraipoondi), State Executive members including P. Padmavathi, Dr G.R. Ravindranath, M. Selvaraj, Vai. Sivapunniyam, T. Ramasamy, Wahida Nizam and other State Committee members.
The State Committee reviewed the results of the recently concluded 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly election. It noted that the four-cornered contest involving the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, AIADMK-BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and Naam Tamilar Katchi had significantly altered Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
CPI stated that both the DMK-led bloc and AIADMK-BJP alliance had suffered defeat, marking a setback for the bipolar political structure that had dominated Tamil Nadu politics for over five decades.
The party observed that communal, casteist and narrow nationalist forces had been rejected by voters. BJP, which had won four seats in the previous Assembly, managed to secure victory in only one constituency this time.
The resolution noted that the people of Tamil Nadu delivered an unprecedented verdict by denying any party or alliance an outright majority. While TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 MLAs, it fell short of the majority mark.
According to CPI, the Governor’s repeated insistence that TVK prove majority support before being invited to form the government reflected attempts by the RSS-BJP-led Centre to push Tamil Nadu towards indirect central control through constitutional mechanisms.
Also Read: ‘No longer in any alliance’: AIADMK faction welcomes Vijay as CM; decides to support TVK
The party also noted that Congress had created public disagreements during seat-sharing negotiations in the Secular Progressive Alliance and later left the alliance after winning only five seats.
CPI said TVK did not seek support from the BJP-led NDA and instead requested support from Left parties and the VCK. Considering the need to prevent what it termed “indirect BJP rule” in Tamil Nadu, the CPI and CPI(M), while continuing in the Secular Progressive Alliance, decided to provide letters of support to facilitate the formation of a government by the single largest party. VCK and IUML also extended support.
With the support of eight MLAs from four parties, TVK secured the backing of 120 legislators and was invited to form the government. TVK assumed office on May 10, 2026.
CPI also noted that during the 13 May confidence vote in the Assembly, 25 AIADMK MLAs from NDA and one AMMK MLA voted in support of the government, while DMK staged a walkout.
The party said CM Vijay had assured commitment to social justice, equality and secularism, and promised to continue the welfare schemes introduced by the previous DMK government. CPI stated it would decide its future approach based on the functioning of the new government.
CPI strongly condemned the Centre and public sector oil companies for increasing petrol and diesel prices again. The party said the hike would increase prices of essential commodities and burden common people. It demanded an immediate rollback of the fuel price increase.
CPI urged the Tamil Nadu government to pass a resolution in the Assembly demanding the restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The party criticised the Centre for replacing MGNREGA with the new “Viksit Bharat Rural Employment and Livelihood Assurance Scheme” (VB-G RAM G) and alleged that it had stripped rural workers of their legal right to employment.
The CPI noted that Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala Assemblies had already passed resolutions demanding restoration of MGNREGA and urged the Tamil Nadu government to intensify pressure on the Centre.
Also Read: CM Vijay demands to scrap NEET two years after TN resolution under DMK
CPI demanded that the Tamil Nadu government increase the salaries of over 8,500 guest lecturers working in government arts and science colleges.
The party pointed out that although the UGC-prescribed salary is Rs 57,700, guest lecturers are being paid only Rs 30,000. It demanded immediate implementation of the UGC scale and payment of pending salaries for May.
CPI also welcomed TVK’s decision to shut down liquor outlets located within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands.
The party also demanded closure of FL-2 bars and recreational club liquor outlets functioning within the same limits. At the same time, it urged the government to ensure job security and permanent alternative employment for TASMAC employees who have been working in the sector for over two decades.
Expressing concern over recurring accidents in the Sivakasi fireworks industry, the CPI called for stringent safety measures and reforms. The party demanded:
• Ban on leasing fireworks factories and cancellation of licences issued under lease arrangements
• Strict action against illegal fireworks production in houses and huts
• Accountability for officials responsible for monitoring safety compliance
• Mandatory training and certification for workers handling explosive materials
• Abolition of contract labour system and implementation of minimum wages with permanent employment status
CPI stressed that the fireworks industry provides livelihood to lakhs of families and called for sustained efforts to ensure accident-free production.
The CPI urged the newly formed TVK government to firmly reject the PM-SHRI education scheme, alleging that it promotes Hindutva ideology and imposes Hindi and Sanskrit.
The party accused the Centre of withholding Samagra Shiksha funds from Tamil Nadu for refusing to implement the scheme and called on the state government to continue opposing it.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
