CPI(M) Tamil Nadu Secretary Discusses NEP 2020, Delimitation, and Political Challenges

P Shanmugam, the Tamil Nadu State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), has shared his insights on key political issues affecting the state. In an interview, he addressed the party’s stance on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, concerns about delimitation, and the evolving political landscape in Tamil Nadu.

Strengthening CPI(M) at the Grassroots Level

Shanmugam highlighted his long-standing involvement with CPI(M), which includes serving as President and Secretary of the Students’ Federation of India and leading the Tamil Nadu Hill Tribal People Association and the All India Kisan Sabha (Tamil Nadu unit). He expressed his commitment to strengthening the party at the grassroots level by focusing on teamwork and collective leadership.

The party’s immediate priority is to organize the 24th All India Conference in Madurai from April 2 to 6, 2025. Once the conference concludes, the focus will shift toward expanding the party’s presence and influence in Tamil Nadu.

Opposition to NEP 2020 and Language Policy

Shanmugam reaffirmed CPI(M)’s opposition to NEP 2020 and the three-language policy. He argued that the policy undermines Tamil Nadu’s linguistic identity and promotes the imposition of Hindi.

CPI(M) firmly believes that all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution should have equal status as official languages.

He criticized the central government’s alleged political pressure, stating that educational funds should not be linked to the adoption of NEP 2020. Shanmugam emphasized that the CPI(M) will oppose any attempt to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu students or withhold funds based on compliance with NEP 2020.

Concerns Over Delimitation

Shanmugam raised concerns about the potential impact of delimitation on Tamil Nadu’s political representation. He questioned the Union government’s transparency, pointing out that the construction of the new Parliament building included 848 seats, even though no official resolution had been passed to increase parliamentary representation.

He highlighted inconsistencies in statements from central leaders regarding Tamil Nadu’s seat count and expressed skepticism about assurances that Tamil Nadu’s representation would not decrease.

The CPI(M) views delimitation as a national issue that should be addressed through collective decision-making at the parliamentary level. Any increase in seats should be distributed fairly among all states.

Shanmugam praised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin for taking a proactive approach by involving all 63 registered political parties in discussions on delimitation. He noted that the CPI(M) supports the state’s efforts to protect its political representation.

Difference Between Fascism and Neo-Fascism

When asked about CPI(M)’s position on the BJP’s political ideology, Shanmugam clarified that the party considers the BJP’s actions to reflect neo-fascist traits rather than classical fascism.

“The BJP’s actions today cannot be directly compared with those of Hitler or Mussolini. There are no concentration camps or systematic exterminations. However, the BJP’s pro-corporate policies, suppression of dissent, and political centralization align with the characteristics of neo-fascism.”

Shanmugam argued that while the RSS exhibits fascist tendencies, the BJP operates within the constitutional framework, making it distinct from historical fascist regimes. This distinction, he explained, is why CPI(M) labels the BJP as neo-fascist rather than outright fascist.

Future Political Strategy and Alliances

Shanmugam confirmed that CPI(M) would continue to align with the DMK in Tamil Nadu, considering it a key force in opposing the BJP’s political influence. He stressed that CPI(M) would push for greater seat allocation in the next state elections and focus on strengthening the INDIA bloc to counter BJP’s influence nationally.

Regarding potential alliances with new parties like Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Shanmugam stated that TVK’s political direction remains unclear. Therefore, CPI(M) has not considered any formal alliance with TVK at this stage.

Conclusion

CPI(M)’s strategy in Tamil Nadu focuses on strengthening its grassroots presence, opposing NEP 2020 and language imposition, and safeguarding the state’s political representation through fair delimitation. The party aims to build a broad coalition to challenge the BJP’s growing influence while maintaining its commitment to socialist and democratic principles.