CHENNAI, Aug. 24 -- Fissures emerged between the Left parties and the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu after Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary P Shanmugam questioned whether the chief minister C Joseph Vijay-led government intends to stay in power with the support of Left parties or by using administrative officers.

His remarks come in the backdrop of protests led by the Left parties on Saturday over a circular aimed at profiling students participating in political protests without permission. It was however withdrawn by the Directorate of Collegiate Education later.

Similarly, another circular was also issued by the Gujiliamparai tehsildar M Ayyasamy in Dindigul district instructing revenue inspector...