CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam has released the party’s manifesto for the Chennai assembly elections on Monday. | Photo credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
In its manifesto for the Assembly elections, the state unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) set out a program focused on electoral reforms, state autonomy, labor rights and social security, along with proposals to strengthen democratic functioning.
In an effort to change the electoral system, the party pushed for the introduction of proportional representation, arguing that the current first-past-the-post system renders votes cast for losing candidates ineffective. They argue that every vote must be of equal value. CPI(M) state secretary K. Shanmugam and senior leaders P. Vasuki, G. Ramakrishnan and S. Kannan released the manifesto at the party’s state unit headquarters in Chennai on Monday.
The manifesto also calls for a complete ban on corporate donations to political parties, arguing that such funding distorts democratic processes and increases the influence of money in politics. She reiterated her opposition to the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, calling it a move towards a centralized and unitary system.
The key theme of the document is the restoration of state rights. The CPI(M) termed the governor’s office “useless” and called for its abolition. Pending such a move, she demanded that the appointments of governors be consulted with state governments and that a deadline be set for governors to act on bills passed by the Assembly. The party also sought to move education from the Concurrent List back to the State List to allow greater regional control over policy.
On language, the CPI(M) has opposed what it describes as the imposition of Hindi and Sanskrit and has called for the recognition of Tamil and all languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution as official languages of the Union. In relation to legislative functioning, the party proposed increasing the number of council meetings and extending the time allotted for debates to allow for more substantive discussions and better oversight.
The manifesto outlines a pro-Labour agenda, including a five-day working week with seven-hour shifts for IT workers. She also called for gig workers to be legally recognized as workers and covered by existing labor laws with access to social security benefits.
Regarding farmers, the party reiterated its demand to implement the MS Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations on minimum support price at C2+50% and enact a central law to guarantee the minimum support price (MSP).
Against the privatization of public sector undertakings, including electricity and transport services, the CPI(M) promised 100 units of free electricity for all households, along with free electricity for farmers and weavers. It also called for an end to annual toll increases on national highways.
The party called on voters to support its agenda as part of a broader effort to strengthen democratic institutions, strengthen federalism and ensure a fairer political and economic framework.
Published – 6th April 2026 20:00 IST
