Regional parties degenerating due to family ties: CPI-M

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Family ties are contributing to the degeneration of the ideology of regional political parties and the time has come to curb this trend, the CPI-M has said.

Commenting on the political chaos in Tamil Nadu, CPI-M journal "People's Democracy" said in an editorial: "The last two decades have seen the rise of family control and dynastic politics in the regional parties.

"Family interests entwined with business interests are taking precedence in many of the regional parties."

It said a prime case was Punjab where the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister were father and son.

In the case of the AIADMK, while now General Secretary V.K. Sasikala was not a family member of the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, "she acted as a surrogate family member", the editorial said.

"This phenomenon is contributing to the degeneration of the ideology and programmes of the regional parties.

"To restore the health of the party-based democratic system and ideology-based politics, it is necessary to curb this trend and for parties to adhere to democratic principles of functioning," it said.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist also said that a wider question was agitating a substantial section of the people in Tamil Nadu.

It said Sasikala never held any key position in the AIADMK and "was widely seen as part of a coterie in Jayalalithaa's household which used to exercise power behind the scenes. The role of her family members was also controversial.

"Sasikala becoming the leader of the party and (wanting to become) the Chief Minister in quick succession is causing understandable resentment among sections of the people, including those who are loyal supporters of the AIADMK," the editorial said.

"Sasikala is yet to establish her acceptability among the AIADMK supporters and appeal among the masses."

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