Tamil Nadu CPI(M) State Secretary P. Shanmugam hoisted party flag on the anniversary of November Revolution at party state office in Chennai. He spoke on global political developments, inflation rise, economic impact of Iran war and protection of federalism in India.
He also criticised the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay for dissolving High-Level Committee on Centre-State Relations.
CPI(M) Marks November Revolution Anniversary
Addressing party members Shanmugam recalled the 1917 Soviet Revolution as being “the first successful proletarian revolution”; revolutions in China and Vietnam later on also played important roles in shaping global political movements.
He said Tamil Nadu CPI(M) was observing the day by hoisting party flag at its state headquarters. November Revolution is still historical for communist parties and their supporters across the world, he added.
Shanmugam Comments on US Elections and Iran War
Shanmugam also spoke about international political developments such as the US elections last month. He said Donald Trump and his party had suffered a major electoral defeat.
Turning to West Asia he said that the Iran war had economic consequences as well. “In several countries there is economic difficulty because of the war… India is also feeling its effect,” the CPI(M) leader said.
He linked these developments to rising costs of essential commodities and said ordinary households were struggling with inflation even during Diwali.
Shanmugam said prices of everyday goods had made celebrations difficult for many families and the CPI(M) was against religion-based politics as secular values were important in the country.
CPI(M) Questions TVK Government's Decision to Scrap Committee
One of the major issues that Shanmugam raised was the TVK government dissolving the High-Level Committee on Centre-State Relations.
The committee was constituted by the previous DMK government led by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin in April 2025. It was headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph and tasked with looking into issues of state autonomy and relationship between state and central governments.
Shanmugam questioned whether it was right to end the committee because “several important questions about Centre-State relations were not answered”.
He said the TVK government should have allowed the committee to continue working rather than dissolve it.
Why the Centre-State Relations Committee Matters
The details of the government order (dated 6 November 2026) said that non-statutory committee was discontinued as “Government considered that it overlaps with the functions of Tamil Nadu State Law Commission”.
The committee had already submitted the first part of its report earlier in 2026 with recommendations on state autonomy and federal relations.
The decision has brought back debate on federalism and division of powers between Centre and states.
CPI(M) Maintains Independent Political Position
Shanmugam’s comments tell us what the CPI(M) stands for on economic issues, secular politics and state autonomy. It has given support to TVK led government but criticism of dissolution of committee suggests it will retain independent positions on important policy matters.
Linking November Revolution’s historical importance to contemporary economic and political problems, Shanmugam used the anniversary as an occasion to draw attention to issues which the CPI(M) thought needed continued public and political focus.
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