Mon Jan 06 19:02:00 UTC 2025: ## CPI(M) Leader’s Attack Shakes Tamil Nadu Ruling Alliance

**Chennai, January 7, 2025** – Tensions are rising within Tamil Nadu’s ruling alliance following a sharp critique of the DMK government by outgoing CPI(M) state secretary K. Balakrishnan. Balakrishnan accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of imposing an “undeclared emergency,” citing the denial of permits for protests, including a planned procession for the party’s state conference. He further rejected the DMK’s touted “Dravidian model,” advocating for a Left alternative.

Balakrishnan’s speech, which went viral, has fueled opposition criticism of the DMK’s handling of law and order, particularly in the wake of a recent sexual assault on a female student at Anna University. The AIADMK seized on the comments, alleging an oppressive regime. While Balakrishnan affirmed the CPI(M)’s commitment to the anti-BJP alliance, he emphasized the party’s independence and its continued fight for workers’ rights.

The DMK, while largely silent, responded indirectly through its official organ, *Murasoli*, questioning Balakrishnan’s actions and suggesting they could harm the alliance’s harmony. The paper criticized his public complaints, particularly his alignment with those portraying Tamil Nadu as unsafe for women. While former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat expressed continued support for the DMK’s anti-BJP stance, the rift highlights growing unease within the ruling coalition. The incident marks a significant escalation, suggesting alliance partners are increasingly unwilling to tolerate perceived government overreach.

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