Royapuram Mano may quit Congress, sends feelers to DMK

The former district Congress committee president of Indian National Congress, who had unsuccessfully contested against state Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar in Royapuram in the past, has decided to abstain from the party affairs “for a while” owing to marginalisation by the party. Though PMK was also on his radar, Mano was understood to have sent feelers to the DMK high command through its district secretary ‘Madhavaram’ Sudarshanam. However, the DMK high command was not favourably disposed to absorbing someone from its ally Congress.

Known for his organisational skills and connect with cadre, Mano was sacked from the district party president post after incumbent Tiruchy MP Su Thirunavukkarasar took over as the president of the state Congress unit. Ironically, he did not get rehabilitated even after KS Alagiri took over from Thirunavukkarasar.

When contacted, Mano told DT Next over phone, “I have decided to stay away from the party (Congress) for some time. I have worked tirelessly for nearly two decades. It is enough. Let me take some rest.”

“Indeed, I have some grouses. But I don’t want to blame or name anyone. I will announce officially declare my decision tomorrow (Wednesday),” Mano said. Refusing to admit that his decision was motivated by repeated marginalisation or inactivity in the party, he said, “I had organised an elaborate celebration for Sonia Gandhi’s birthday even yesterday. No one can say I was inactive. I was active in the party always.”

Asked if the high command had attempted to compromise him, he said, “People who call themselves leaders have not contacted me so far. Cadre have been calling me throughout the day. Let us wait and watch.” On his defection to the DMK, he said, “I am not going to any party. I am only abstaining from Congress for a while.”

Mano, if he leaves, could become the second significant loss to the state Congress in Chennai given that the party had earlier suspended south Chennai district Congress party president ‘Karate’ R Thiyagarajan an avid supporter of actor-politicianRajinikanth.