Chennai, July 1 (IANS) The CPI and the CPI(M) will stay away from the meeting-cum-feast being organised by Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday, despite having been invited to the event.

The decision reflects the Left parties’ stand that they are extending only outside support to the TVK-led government and are not constituents of the ruling alliance.

Party leaders said attending the gathering, organised for the government’s allies, could create the impression that they have formally joined the coalition.

CPI State Secretary M. Veerapandian said the feast was meant exclusively for alliance partners and that the Left parties wanted to maintain their independent political identity.

“The feast is meant for the allies of the TVK. Since we are supporting the government from outside, we have decided not to participate in it. The Left parties are not part of any alliance at present, but our support for the government will continue,” he said.

The CPI and CPI(M) have been supporting the TVK government on key issues from outside since its formation while maintaining that their backing is based on policies and public interest rather than a formal political arrangement.

They said their decision to skip the event should not be interpreted as a sign of differences with the government. Instead, the two parties reiterated that they would continue to cooperate with the government on issues concerning workers, farmers and other weaker sections of society.

They also made it clear that they would continue to raise matters of public importance before the government whenever necessary.

Even as they stay away from the feast, leaders of the CPI and CPI(M) will meet Chief Minister Vijay at the Secretariat later in the day. They are likely to submit a memorandum highlighting several pressing issues concerning workers and other sections of society and seek the government’s intervention.

The development underlines the Left parties’ effort to balance their continued support for the TVK government with their desire to retain political independence.

By staying away from a function meant for alliance partners while continuing to engage with the Chief Minister on policy matters, the CPI and CPI(M) have sought to reinforce that their relationship with the government remains one of outside support rather than a formal alliance.

–IANS

aal/dpb