Tamil Nadu’s political landscape witnessed a fresh twist on Tuesday after CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam indicated that the party may reconsider its support to the ruling (TVK) government if it moves ahead with plans to include the rebel faction of the AIADMK in the Cabinet.

CPI(M) Says Support To TVK Was Given To Prevent President’s Rule

Addressing reporters, Shanmugam said the Left parties had extended outside support to the C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government primarily to prevent the possibility of President’s Rule in the state, which he warned could potentially create space for what he described as the “backdoor entry of BJP rule” in Tamil Nadu.

He explained that the decision to support TVK was taken in a specific political context, where no party had secured a clear majority and the state was not in a position to face another immediate election. According to him, the voters had effectively rejected both the DMK-led and AIADMK-led alliances, leaving the single largest formation, TVK, with the responsibility of forming a government with outside backing. In this situation, the Left parties, along with other supporting groups, including the VCK, extended conditional support to ensure stable governance and to uphold the mandate given by the electorate.

Shanmugam, however, made it clear that this support was not unconditional and would depend on how the ruling party conducted itself in government. He specifically cautioned against any move to accommodate AIADMK rebel legislators in the Council of Ministers, stating that such a decision would go against the spirit of the public mandate and the commitment to clean and transparent governance that TVK had promised.

He further remarked that if the TVK were to proceed in that direction, the CPI(M) would be compelled to reconsider its position of support to the government. “I think the TVK will not go to that extent. In the event of the TVK taking a stand of accommodating the AIADMK rebel group in the Council of Ministers, the CPI(M) will then reconsider its stand of support to the TVK,” he said.

TVK Emerged As Single Largest Party In Assembly Polls

The current government in Tamil Nadu was formed after the Assembly election results declared on May 4, in which Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member House, falling just 10 seats short of a simple majority.

Following the fractured verdict, the party managed to secure crucial external support from the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League, along with the backing of eight legislators representing smaller Left-aligned groups and other independents. This support base enabled TVK to stake claim to form the government despite lacking an outright majority on its own.

AIADMK Rebel MLAs Backed Government During Trust Vote

A decisive moment came during the trust vote held on May 13, when the TVK government secured the confidence of 144 MLAs. This majority was achieved not only through its alliance partners but also with the backing of a group of AIADMK legislators who broke ranks with their party leadership.

Reports indicated that around 24 AIADMK MLAs defied the party whip and voted in favour of Vijay’s government, despite strong opposition from AIADMK general secretary E. Palaniswami. Their action triggered disciplinary proceedings under anti-defection provisions, deepening tensions within the opposition party.

In the aftermath of the successful floor test, speculation has emerged regarding the possibility of formally inducting the AIADMK rebel faction into the Cabinet. It is this development that has now drawn a strong cautionary response from the CPI(M), which has reiterated that its support is rooted in maintaining political stability and respecting the electoral mandate.

Shanmugam’s remarks underline the fragile nature of the current arrangement and suggest that any expansion of the coalition beyond its existing understanding could alter the political equation in the state. For now, the TVK government continues to function with outside support, but the evolving situation signals potential realignments in Tamil Nadu’s already shifting political balance.