Communist Party of India State secretary D. Pandian on Friday ruled out his party’s support to the Pattali Makkal Katchi candidate in Pennagaram Assembly Constituency saying there was no change in the party high command’s decision to support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam nominee.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Pandian denied reports that he mooted the idea of sponsoring the PMK candidate on behalf of the Opposition parties when he met AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa some days ago.
“We faced the Lok Sabha polls along with the AIADMK and the party high command has not indicated any change in the stand so far,” he explained.
Mr. Pandian said PMK leader S. Ramadoss had written to him seeking the CPI’s support to his party candidate. A similar letter was sent to the State unit of the CPI (M). When told about Dr. Ramadoss’ argument that given the PMK’s support base in the constituency it could easily win if all the Opposition parties extended their support, Mr. Pandian said this was applicable to the AIADMK candidate.
Expressing concern over land grabbing and deterioration of law and order marked by murders in many parts of the State, including in Chennai, the CPI leader said his party, along with the CPI (M) and the AIADMK, would launch a movement against the failure of the State government in preventing the murders.
“The AIADMK is willing to participate with the Left in the movement,” he said, adding there was a nexus between the police and officials in all land-grabbing cases.
Mr. Pandian said the national conference of the All India Students Federation in Puducherry on February 13, 14 and 15 would discuss various issues, including the means for regulating deemed universities. “We will launch an education reforms movement based on the decisions arrived at the conference.”
