Cuddalore ex-MP KS Alagiri is new TNCC chief

The Congress high command has also appointed former Kanniyakumari MP H Vasanthakumar, AICC secretary K Jayakumar, former MLAs MK Vishnu Prasad and Mayura S Jayakumar working presidents to manage the party affairs in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

In a statement issued late on Saturday, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi approved the proposal for appointment of president and working presidents. AICC has also appreciated the contribution of outgoing president Su Thirunavukkarasar.

The change of guard at TNCC’s helm, Congress sources say, could also have been influenced by the alleged bitter-sweet relationship between the DMK and Thirunavukkarasar, who has not had the best of relationships with the ally DMK, which saw him as a pro-AIADMK leader. The organisational shake up may also have been influenced by P Chidambaram, sources add. Congress insiders also say that a non-controversial and neutral Alagiri would be easy for the DMK to negotiate with, while the presence of Vasanthakumar and Jayakumar would bring experience to the table.

However, questions have been raised about the Congress high command overlooking heavy weights Peter Alphonse and former TNCC chief EVKS Elangovan who have also been vying for the coveted post. The five-member administrative team, it was believed in the state Congress, would keep all factions in good humour and end the unease in the state party unit.