Rumblings in Tamil Nadu’s ruling alliance-OxBig News Network

File picture of CPI(M) Tamil Nadu secretary K. Balakrishnan.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

There are tensions within the ruling alliance in Tamil Nadu after outgoing CPI(M) State secretary, K. Balakrishnan, launched a scathing attack against the DMK government, which leads the alliance, last week.

Mr. Balakrishnan accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of having imposed an “undeclared emergency” in Tamil Nadu, pointing out that permission is denied even for protests demanding pattas. He also said the CPI(M) could not get permission for a procession in connection with the 24th party State conference.

Addressing the conference, he said: “We thought we would be allowed to carry out a red-flag march. We got no assurance until the last moment and then we were told that permission would not be granted. Should not people organise a procession in Tamil Nadu? Should not an affected citizen fight for his rights? Why does the government fear demonstrations?”

There could be reasons for his anger. But what upset the DMK was Mr. Balakrishnan’s rejection of the Dravidian model, touted as a socially and economically equitable model of governance by the DMK. “A Left model would be better than a Hindutva or Dravidian model. The best alternative for the people of Tamil Nadu is the Left,” he declared.

Over the last few weeks, the Opposition has been criticising the DMK government for the “poor” law-and-order situation in the State after a female student was sexually assaulted in the campus of Anna University. So far, the police have denied permission to organise protests “seeking justice” for her. Mr. Balakrishnan’s speech, which went viral on social media, offered fodder for the Opposition. The AIADMK’s Information Technology wing said that the allegations by the DMK’s alliance partner indicated that the DMK regime was oppressive.

Mr. Balakrishnan also said that his party’s presence in the anti-BJP alliance in the State would not automatically make it part of the DMK front.

The only solace for the DMK came from former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, who said that his party would stand firmly with it in the fight against communalism, imposition of Hindi, and other issues. While Mr. Balakrishnan also made a similar commitment, he said that the CPI(M) would continue to fight for the rights of the working class, farmers, teachers, and government employees if the DMK government deprived these sections of their rights and failed to fulfil its promises.

The DMK, which would normally react to such allegations, refused to be provoked. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister, P.K. Sekarbabu, was the only one to react. “I don’t know why Mr. Balakrishnan has made these allegations,” he said. “We are in a democracy. An undeclared emergency was in place during the AIADMK government’s tenure. The police have not remanded anyone who has organised protests. We will take into consideration their demands and fulfil them.”

However, Murasoli, the official organ of the DMK, published a critical column titled ‘Ithu thozhamaikku ilakkanam alla (This is not good for harmony)’. Published on the front page, the column read, “Mr. Balakrishnan is addressing thousands of people. Does he not know what an emergency is? When he has access to the Chief Minister, why should he go to the streets and raise questions?”

It speculated that Mr. Balakrishnan, or KB as he is known, may be under pressure to provoke Mr. Stalin even though the Chief Minister has always treated him with respect.

The DMK argues that it has no objections to alliance partners organising protests. “But it is against the ethics of the alliance to complain about denial of permission after organising protests,” the article in Murasoli read.

The writer of the article also demanded to know why Mr. Balakrishnan has joined the people who are seeking to create the impression that women are not safe in Tamil Nadu. The column added, “It is sad that Mr. KB, an experienced politician, fails to understand that such remarks would damage the friendship among the alliance partners.”

Mr. Balakrishnan’s remarks show that alliance partners, who have restrained themselves from expressing any displeasure regarding the excesses of the government and the police, realise that they cannot afford to remain silent any longer. He seems to be sending out the message that the CPI(M) is no appendage of the DMK even though the two will continue to fight the BJP.