Chennai, May 27:
P. Shanmugam, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has criticised the recent trend of MLAs from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) resigning and joining the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), terming it detrimental to democratic norms.
Condemning the defections, Shanmugam said such political shifts are not conducive to healthy democratic practices and raise serious questions about political ethics. His remarks come amid a series of resignations by AIADMK legislators, which have intensified the political situation in Tamil Nadu.
He alleged that encouraging elected representatives to switch sides undermines the mandate given by the people and weakens the foundations of parliamentary democracy. According to him, such developments could destabilise the opposition and distort the balance essential for a functioning democratic system.
Shanmugam further cautioned that continued defections may erode public trust in political institutions. He called on all parties to uphold political integrity, respect the electoral mandate, and ensure fair play in the democratic process.