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CPI(M) to stage protests against poll violence

Special Correspondent

Left party serves notice to DMK on `criminalisation of politics'

CHENNAI: The State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has decided to hold protests in all the district headquarters on November 6 to protest against the "excesses and violence" committed during the local body elections in Chennai.

The Committee, which met here on Tuesday and Wednesday, also demanded restoration of the system of direct election for the post of heads of town panchayats, municipalities and corporations, as it would be a "democratic and appropriate" system.

Out of 40 posts of chairpersons allotted to the CPI(M), the party was able to win only 16 posts. Its candidates were defeated by persons belonging to the DMK in other places with the "blessings of the key leaders" of the ruling party, the committee alleged.

The general secretary of the CPI(M) Prakash Karat and State secretary of the party N. Varadarajan attended the meeting.

The committee reiterated the charge that armed gangs captured polling booths, drove away the voters and attacked the candidates and leaders of the party in eight wards of the Chennai Corporation where the CPI(M) put up its candidates during the first phase of the poll on October 13.

It accused the State Election Commission, Chennai city police and the authorities of the Chennai Corporation of supporting those who committed the irregularities.

"Though violence and excesses were committed in many places besides those wards where the CPI(M) fielded its candidates, persons involved in violence have not yet been arrested. Action has not been taken against the erring officials. Repoll has not been ordered in the wards, where irregularities were committed. The CPI(M) is of the view that such a stand would not strengthen democracy," the committee said.

Recalling various "undemocratic and anti-people measures" of the previous All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government, the CPI(M) committee urged the DMK Government to redefine its course keeping the past in mind.

Though the CPI(M) had supported the DMK Government's decision to do away with direct elections for the post of chairpersons of the local bodies, the party had a "bitter experience now," it said. "Unhealthy practices such as abduction of councillors, horse-trading and letting loose violence" were widespread during the indirect elections. All these only betrayed the ongoing process of "criminalisation of politics."

The CPI(M)'s winning chances were reduced, because of rebel candidates of the DMK entering the fray in wards earmarked for the party. The DMK's assurance of allotting the post of heads of local bodies to the alliance partner even if it had only one councillor, had been violated in several places, the State committee said.

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