Chennai Gripped by Intense Protest: CPIM Leaders Arrested During Shastri Bhavan Siege Attempt
Chennai witnessed a surge of political unrest today as Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPIM] cadres, led by newly appointed Polit Bureau member U. Vasuki and State Secretary P. Shanmugam, attempted to lay siege to Shastri Bhavan. The demonstration, aimed at compelling the Union government to dismiss Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and expedite the release of state funds, culminated in the arrest of key leaders, including U. Vasuki.
The protest, marked by fervent slogans and placard-wielding demonstrators, centered on allegations of Governor Ravi's "anti-constitutional activities," which the CPIM contends are undermining the state's autonomy and democratic processes. The party also vehemently denounced the Union government's perceived delay in disbursing crucial funds, asserting that this financial withholding is crippling the state's developmental initiatives and welfare programs.
"Governor Ravi's actions constitute a flagrant violation of constitutional norms and an unwarranted intrusion into the state's administrative affairs," declared P. Shanmugam before his arrest. "We demand his immediate removal and the unhindered release of our rightful state funds."
U. Vasuki, who addressed the assembled protestors with similar resolve, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "The Central government's deliberate obstruction of fund allocation is causing undue hardship to the people of Tamil Nadu," she stated, reiterating the party's demand for immediate financial redress.
The demonstration, which attracted a substantial gathering of CPIM supporters, led to significant traffic disruptions around Shastri Bhavan. Law enforcement personnel intervened to manage the increasingly agitated crowd, ultimately detaining U. Vasuki, P. Shanmugam, and several other prominent CPIM members.
The arrests have intensified the already strained relations between the state government and the Governor's office, and further inflamed the ongoing dispute over the allocation of central funds. The incident underscores the growing political tension in Tamil Nadu and the CPIM's unwavering stance in demanding accountability and equitable resource distribution.
