CPM threatens to withdraw support to Tamil Nadu govt over AIADMK rebels

The CPM on Tuesday said it would reconsider its support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu if the ruling party accommodates the rebel faction of the AIADMK in the Cabinet. Addressing a press conference in Tiruvarur, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said, “I think the TVK will not go to that extent (of accommodating AIADMK rebel group in the cabinet) and in the event of the TVK taking a stand of accommodating the AIADMK rebel group in the Council of Ministers, the CPM will then reconsider its stand of support to the TVK,” he said, news agency PTI reported. He said the party’s support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by chief minister C. Joseph Vijay was aimed at preventing President’s Rule and what he called the “backdoor entry of the BJP’s rule” in the state. Explaining the rationale behind extending support, he said Tamil Nadu was not in a position for another election immediately and added that the people’s mandate had gone against both the DMK- and AIADMK-led fronts. He said no party had secured a majority, and TVK, as the single largest party, formed the government with outside support from Left parties and VCK. Shanmugam said the arrangement was intended to ensure governance by a party elected by the people. However, he added that inducting AIADMK rebel members into the Council of Ministers would go against the mandate and the party’s position on clean governance. TVK had cleared a floor test in the Assembly on May 13 with support from AIADMK rebels, expelled AMMK MLA Kamaraj, Left parties, VCK and IUML.