P. Shanmugam has been elected as the new State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) during the party’s 24th State Conference held in Villupuram. Chief Minister MK.Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and TVK chief Vijay extended their greetings to Shanmugam.The three-day conference, which commenced on January 3, was attended by key leaders, including Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat, outgoing State Secretary K. Balakrishnan, and over 80 senior party members. As per party rules, the State Secretary’s age must be below 72 years. With K. Balakrishnan, aged 71, completing six years in the role, a new leader was selected.
During the meeting, P. Shanmugam was unanimously chosen as the new State Secretary. Currently serving as a member of the CPI(M) Central Committee and Secretariat, Shanmugam has a long history of leadership, including his roles as State President of the Tamil Nadu Tribal Association and the Farmers’ Association. He has also been active in the party’s youth wing.
Shanmugam gained prominence for his legal activism, notably protesting against police brutality on tribal communities in Vachathi, Dharmapuri. His contributions were recognized last year when he received the Tamil Nadu Government’s Ambedkar Award from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Speaking after his election, Shanmugam expressed his commitment to the party’s principles, stating, “We will continue to fight for the working class and against caste-based oppression in Tamil Nadu. The struggle will persist until social justice prevails.” He also confirmed that K. Balakrishnan will remain a member of the party’s Central Committee.