CPI(M), CPI object to Congress’ Rajya Sabha candidate Praveen Chakravarty’s claim on new alliance

In a blow to the Congress, CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam and CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian on Friday (June 5, 2026) objected to the claim made by the Congress’ Rajya Sabha candidate, Praveen Chakravarty, that he had been nominated as the candidate of the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Progressive Alliance comprising the TVK, Congress, VCK, IUML, CPI, and CPI(M).

The Congress, which has only five MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, had on Thursday (June 4) night nominated Mr. Chakravarty for the Rajya Sabha seat allotted to it by its post-Assembly poll ally, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which has 107 MLAs.

Following his nomination, Mr. Chakravarty claimed in a social media post that he enjoyed the support of all parties associated with the TVK.

‘No one approached us’

Reacting to the post, Mr. Shanmugam said no one had approached the CPI(M) regarding the formation of the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Progressive Alliance.

“No one has discussed an alliance with us or sought our support for forming one. We have already explained the reasons for extending outside support to the TVK government,” Mr. Shanmugam said, describing Mr. Chakravarty’s statement as “audacious”.

Mr. Veerapandian, meanwhile, said Mr. Chakravarty’s claim was unacceptable to the CPI.

“It is politically wrong to include the names of the two Left parties without any consultation on the formation of an alliance. It is condemnable,” he said.

Mr. Veerapandian noted that the Left parties had contested and won the election as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance.

“We decided to extend outside support to the TVK government to respect the people’s verdict and prevent the Governor from exploiting the situation. We remain firm in that decision. We are not part of the alliance claimed by Mr. Chakravarty,” he said.

Asked whether the CPI continued to be part of the DMK-led alliance, Mr. Veerapandian said his party remained a constituent of the Secular Progressive Alliance.

“We will take a decision when the election approaches. Both the DMK and the AIADMK are democratic forces. We will not join hands with the BJP and its parivar. Working with democratic forces is normal in politics,” he said.