CPI(M), CPI object to Congress’ Rajya Sabha candidate Praveen Chakravarty’s claim on new alliance

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The View From India Looking at World Affairs from the Indian perspective.

First Day First Show News and reviews from the world of cinema and streaming.

Today's Cache Your download of the top 5 technology stories of the day.

Data Point Decoding the headlines with facts, figures, and numbers

Health Matters Ramya Kannan writes to you on getting to good health, and staying there

The Hindu On Books Books of the week, reviews, excerpts, new titles and features.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary P. Shanmugam. File | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

In a blow to the Congress, CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam and CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian on Friday (June 5, 2026) objected to the claim made by the Congress’ Rajya Sabha candidate, Praveen Chakravarty, that he had been nominated as the candidate of the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Progressive Alliance comprising the TVK, Congress, VCK, IUML, CPI, and CPI(M).

The Congress, which has only five MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, had on Thursday (June 4) night nominated Mr. Chakravarty for the Rajya Sabha seat allotted to it by its post-Assembly poll ally, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which has 107 MLAs.

Following his nomination, Mr. Chakravarty claimed in a social media post that he enjoyed the support of all parties associated with the TVK.

Reacting to the post, Mr. Shanmugam said no one had approached the CPI(M) regarding the formation of the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Progressive Alliance.

“No one has discussed an alliance with us or sought our support for forming one. We have already explained the reasons for extending outside support to the TVK government,” Mr. Shanmugam said, describing Mr. Chakravarty’s statement as “audacious”.

தமிழ்நாடு சமூக நீதி முற்போக்குக் (TVK+INC+VCK+IUML+CPI+CPM) கூட்டணியின் முதல் MP வேட்பாளராகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டதை பெருமையாகவும் பெரும் பொறுப்பாகவும் கருதுகிறேன்என் மீது நம்பிக்கை வைத்த LoP @RahulGandhi மற்றும் தமிழக CM @TVKVijayHQ க்கு மனமார்ந்த நன்றிதேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட… https://t.co/ANU7I6s5bfpic.twitter.com/CoFBdgwmVr

Mr. Veerapandian, meanwhile, said Mr. Chakravarty’s claim was unacceptable to the CPI.

“It is politically wrong to include the names of the two Left parties without any consultation on the formation of an alliance. It is condemnable,” he said.

Mr. Veerapandian noted that the Left parties had contested and won the election as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance.

“We decided to extend out