T.N. CPI(M) manifesto pitches electoral overhaul, stronger State rights and pro-labour measures

The state unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), in its manifesto for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026, laid out an agenda centred on electoral reforms, State autonomy, labour rights and welfare, alongside proposals to strengthen democratic functioning.

In a push for systemic electoral change, the party has advocated the introduction of proportional representation, arguing that the current first-past-the-post system renders votes cast for losing candidates ineffective. It has maintained that every vote must carry equal value. The manifesto was released on Monday at the state unit headquarters in Chennai by party senior leaders K. Shanmugam (state secretary), P. Vasuki, G. Ramakrishnan, and S. Kannan. 

The manifesto also calls for a complete ban on corporate donations to political parties, stating that such funding distorts democratic processes and increases the influence of money in politics. It has reiterated its opposition to the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, terming it a move towards a centralised and unitary system.

A key theme of the document is the restoration of State rights. The CPI(M) has termed the office of the Governor “unnecessary” and called for its abolition. Until such a step is taken, it has demanded that State governments be consulted in gubernatorial appointments and that a time limit be fixed for Governors to act on bills passed by the legislative Assembly. 

The party has also sought to move education from the Concurrent List back to the State List to enable 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 Tamil and all languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution to be recognised as official languages of the Union.

Addressing legislative functioning, the party has proposed increasing the number of Assembly sittings and expanding the time allotted for debates to allow for more substantive discussions and improved oversight. 

The manifesto outlines a pro-labour agenda, including a five-day work week with seven-hour daily shifts for IT sector employees. It has also called for gig workers to be legally recognised as workers, and brought under existing labour laws with access to social security benefits. 

For farmers, the party has reiterated the demand for implementing the M.S. Swaminathan Commission’s recommendation of minimum support price at C2+50% and enacting a central law to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Opposing the privatisation of public sector undertakings, including electricity and transport services, the CPI(M) has promised 100 units of free electricity for all households, along with free electricity for farmers and weavers. It has also called for an end to annual toll fee hikes on national highways.

The party has urged voters to support its agenda as part of a broader effort to strengthen democratic institutions, enhance federalism, and ensure a more equitable political and economic framework.