Experiment proves fatal, Left flop show without Dravidian alliance

Chennai: For the first time, the Tamil Nadu assembly will have not have a single representative from the Left parties due to their decision to strike an alliance with the non-DMK-AIADMK regional parties. "It was an experiment in alternative politics in Tamil Nadu without DMK-AIADMK with which we were associated," said CPI's national council member C Mahendran.
The decision was taken in principle about a year ago when the CPI-CPM held a joint conference. "Even though neither DMDK chief Vijayakant nor MDMK leader Vaiko may have the kind of understanding of communist parties that we may want, it was an opportunity to bring together democratic forces under a front. Since they were not ready to work with DMK nor AIADMK, we made a common alliance for a common purpose," he explained.
Mahendran said out that the Dravidian movement had its relevance in TN once but now the main Dravidian parties have "deviated from their ideal of self-respect due to their selfish power grab and have come within the orbit of corporate globalization."
Asked about the dismal performance of the Left parties in Tamil Nadu, CPM state secretary G Ramakrishnan said this was not due to the alliance with the DMDK-PWF. The real reason was money distribution by both AIADMK and DMK. "The Election Commission is convinced about this and the parties themselves have not denied they distributed money," he said.
In the first Madras Legislative Assembly that comprised 375 seats in April 1952, there were 62 communists whose strength came down to 22 in 1953 after Andhra Pradesh was created. The presence went up to 55 in the second assembly of 202 seats. CPI's strength rose to 68 in the third assembly consisting of 206 seats.
Starting 1967, when the DMK captured power, the representation of communists started decreasing. In that assembly, there were 32 CPI MLAs and 22 CPM MLAs. In the last assembly, there were 19 representatives including CPM's 10 and CPI's 9 representatives.
The performances in Madurai and Thiruthuraipoondi should serve as shockers to the Left movement. Madurai, where the CPM has boasted of a strong base, has also joined with other districts in not sending Left (CPM and CPI) representatives though the CPM contested in one seat and the CPI in two seats. It is reported that factional feud, lack of fraternity, and work without dedication caused the defeat of Left parties particularly CPM in the district.
The CPI's hold over Thiruthuraipoondi is 45 years old, which came to an end this election. Thiruthuraipoondi town is the hometown of CPI state secretary Mutharasan. It does seem that the communists have lost the ability to win seats without the support of the two main Dravidian parties.