Left parties oppose TVK government plan to give government jobs to kin of stampede victims

The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], which are extending outside support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by C. Joseph Vijay, have opposed the government's decision to offer government jobs to family members of those killed in a stampede at a TVK rally on September 27 last year.

CPI leader and Tiruppur Lok Sabha MP K. Subbarayan said the move would set a bad precedent. “Providing government jobs to the families of those who died in a stampede at a political party meeting will set a bad precedent. History will record it as misuse of power, and it will create pressure on future governments to follow the same practice,” he said.

CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam expressed concern that the decision could weaken the legal process, as an inquiry into the stampede is under way and the matter is pending before the court. “It will naturally raise the question of whether the TVK government is using its authority to provide government employment to the families of those who died at a TVK rally. The government may facilitate employment in private organisations, but offering government jobs is an entirely different matter,” he said in a social media post.

Mr. Shanmugam called for a comprehensive policy governing employment for family members of people who die under various circumstances. “Until such guidelines are evolved, the government should withdraw the announcement,” he said.

Mr. Subbarayan added that the responsibility for compensating the victims’ families rests with the political party concerned, and that the TVK has the means to do so. “The party cannot evade its responsibility by shifting the burden onto the government. The TVK should reflect on this,” he said.