Opposition should be united at national level, says CPI(M) State secretary

CPI (M) state secretary urges opposition parties to unite against BJP, emphasizing the importance of secular forces' unity.

Like in Tamil Nadu, how the allies are united with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), at the national level too, the opposition parties should stand together with the single objective to defeat the BJP, said CPI (M) state secretary P Shanmugam here on Saturday.

Speaking at a felicitation function organised at the Ramasamy Tamil College, where he was an alma mater, he said that unity among the secular forces was essential. There may be differences of opinion within the allies on various issues, but, the unity should continue.

The discord within the opposition had resulted in the BJP coming to power. Take for instance in New Delhi general elections to the Assembly, the results have gone in favour of the BJP. This is a very sad development for the country, Mr Shanmugam said and hoped the opposition parties buried their differences and also shun their ego in the larger public interest.

The AIADMK should have contested in Erode by-poll. There have been complaints in the conduct of elections in Tamil Nadu in the past, which should not have been cited for the AIADMK from staying away.

Condemning the reports on rape incidents in Tamil Nadu, Mr Shanmugam said that the enforcement should be tightened and hoped the government stepped in. Such incidents should be prevented as safety of women and children was prime responsibility of the rulers.

Condemning the handcuffing and chaining of the illegal Indian migrants, who were flown in a defence aircraft by the US, the Union government should express its protest in a strong form as it was a human rights violation. The government should not justify it under any circumstances.

Tamil Nadu had witnessed many celebrities coming into politics. However, the DMK and the AIADMK had stood all the test in the past. Some people like cine star Vijay may be popular in the cinema industry. However, his image among the public as a politician may take time as the voters continued to be loyal only with the DMK and the AIADMK.