Sun Jan 05 20:46:15 IST 2025: ## CPI(M)’s Shanmugam Elected Tamil Nadu Secretary

**CHENNAI, January 5, 2025** – P. Shanmugam, a veteran CPI(M) leader and former general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Tribals’ Association, has been unanimously elected as the party’s new Tamil Nadu secretary. The election took place at the party’s three-day 24th State conference in Villupuram, which concluded Sunday. Over 600 representatives attended.

Shanmugam, known for his activism and role in bringing national attention to the 1992 Vachathi atrocities, pledged continued opposition to both the BJP’s national policies and the DMK’s state government policies which he claims negatively impact the livelihood of the people. He highlighted the NDA government’s alleged failure to create employment opportunities for youth.

He criticized the denial of permission by Villupuram police for a planned CPI(M) march, asserting that the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be arbitrarily denied. This follows criticism from outgoing secretary K. Balakrishnan regarding a similar incident.

Senior CPI(M) leaders, including Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, and U. Vasuki, also participated in the conference.

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