CPM objects to Praveen Chakravarty linking party to ‘new alliance’

CHENNAI: CPM state secretary P Shanmugam on Friday condemned Congress functionary Praveen Chakravarty for his social media post claiming that he was selected as the first MP candidate of the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Progressive Front, an alliance comprising the TVK, Congress, VCK, IUML, CPI and CPM.

“It is incorrect to state that he has been nominated as the Rajya Sabha candidate on behalf of a new alliance, and to include the CPI(M)’s name in it,” Shanmugam said, describing the post as a “transgression”.

The CPM leader’s reaction came after Chakravarty posted on social media that he considered it “a matter of pride and great responsibility” to have been chosen as the first MP candidate of the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Progressive Front (TVK+INC+VCK+IUML+CPI+CPM). He also thanked leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and chief minister C Joseph Vijay for reposing faith in him.

Shanmugam said no one had approached or consulted the CPM regarding the formation of such an alliance or for extending support to Chakravarty’s candidature.

“On what basis the Marxist Communist Party extended support to the TVK to form the govt has already been clearly stated,” he said.