CHENNAI: Factional feud within the Congress has once again come into the open with Karur MP S Jothimani alleging she was prevented from submitting a booth agents list to the Election Commission of India ahead of the State Assembly elections.
The party’s State president K Selvaperunthagai later acknowledged organisational issues in the Karur district. In a strongly worded social media post on Friday, Jothimani said the party was increasingly making headlines for internal disputes rather than for raising people’s issues.
“Instead of advancing ideological politics and addressing public concerns, the party is engaging in political calculations for the benefit of a few individuals, pushing the Tamil Nadu Congress towards gradual decline,” she alleged.
Drawing a contrast with the party’s national leadership, the MP said the current trajectory of the Tamil Nadu Congress was “completely opposite” to the selfless, principled and fearless politics of Rahul Gandhi.
Jothimani further said the respect and identity enjoyed by the Congress in Tamil Nadu were rooted in the legacy of K Kamaraj and in the affection and respect the people of the State have for the sacrifices of the Nehru-Gandhi famil. She urged party leaders to remember and uphold that legacy.
Stressing the importance of the forthcoming elections, she questioned whether the State Congress leadership had fully grasped its seriousness.
While admitting internal feuds within the Karur district unit, Selvaperunthagai said that as TNCC president he had recommended disciplinary action against the district president, adding that the matter was now before the All India Congress Committee.
Meanwhile, AP Surya Prakasam, a member of the TNCC and the Assets and Properties Restoration Committee, has resigned from the Congress, alleging that State leadership is functioning in a manner subservient to the ruling DMK and weakening the party’s prospects in the coming Assembly polls.