Chennai:
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president KS Alagiri used ‘unparliamentary’ words at a meeting at the party headquarters following a fight over postings, alleged Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader K Selvaperunthagai and said party workers are asking him to are dissatisfied.
The party in Tamil Nadu is waiting for a new leader and a change in the leadership of the state party unit is likely soon, Mr Selvaperunthagai told PTI in an interview.
The Sriperumbudur MLA said he was not in the race for the top post in the state.
On claims in the party that a shortlist has been drawn up by top party officials for the post of TNCC president, he said: “Only a person who can lead the party in a dedicated manner by working 24×7 for it and can boldly oppose it. There is a chance to become TNCC chief because of BJP’s fascist policies.”
The political scenario of the state and the dynamics required to lead the party are well understood by the leaders of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
“Our President Mallikarjun Kharge is a very experienced leader and we are eagerly looking forward to the appointment. We are confident that he will appoint the right person as TNCC President.” The background to talk of an imminent change in the leadership of the TNCC can be seen from the clash between the two groups at the party’s state headquarters, ‘Satyamurthy Bhavan’, in November, the subsequent talks and the AICC preventing the suspension of MLA Ruby R Manoharan . Seen as a sign of Alagiri’s ‘low’ authority by a section of party workers. Manoharan is also the TNCC treasurer. Tirunelveli workers staged a protest last month opposing two regional-level appointments made by the party, claiming that those appointed were ineligible as they were involved in anti-party activities.
What began as a protest ended in violent clashes between two groups seen as supporters of Manoharan and Alagiri.
After this, a meeting of top leaders was held at the party headquarters to resolve the matter.
Selvaperunthagai, who participated in that discussion, said that Alagiri used some ‘unparliamentary’ words in anger in the presence of AICC leaders Dinesh Gundu Rao and Sirivela Prasad, who are in-charge of Tamil Nadu party affairs, and later walked out of that meeting. Went.
“After walking out of that meeting, he slapped two party workers (on the ground floor of the party office) and we came to know by watching TV.” On the clashes, the CLP leader said, “On one hand, we see our leader Rahul Gandhi leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra to unite the country… They (the Alagiri-led leadership) should stop this kind of violence.” Should’ve and shouldn’t have done it.” Painful… I have given my report to AICC on what happened.” “They wanted Ruby Manoharan to be suspended. I said that only AICC has the powers to do so and not them. Though Manoharan could not attend the meeting of the disciplinary panel to give his explanation, he was suspended. I said it can’t be done. The AICC later revoked the suspension. Also, former TNCC presidents M Krishnaswamy, KV Thangakabalu, EVKS Elangovan and Su Thirunavukkarasar have also submitted their reports to top party leaders.
The AICC had on November 24 said that the process adopted by the Disciplinary Action Committee of the TNCC for the suspension was unfair. Gundu Rao had said that this was done contrary to the principles of natural justice.
Asked whether Alagiri has been sidelined within the party, he said all leaders and party workers including him are dissatisfied with the working style of the TNCC chief.
Once, even the iconic leader Indira Gandhi expressed regret for any excesses committed during the Emergency (1975-77) and apologized to the people.
However, so far not even an apology has been expressed (by the Alagiri camp) and their efforts are clearly aimed at making allegations and blaming some people, he said.
On claims by some party workers that ‘Karti Chidambaram, Jothimani (both Lok Sabha MPs) and Selvaperunthagai’ are among the shortlisted names for the post of TNCC chief, he said: “Many people are wrong. I am not in the running . I am the leader of the Congress Legislature Party which is equivalent to the office of TNCC chief. I am ready to work with anyone who can become the new TN Congress President.” Alagiri, 70, is a former Lok Sabha MP (2009–14) and represented Cuddalore. A two-time MLA (1991–2001), he was appointed as the TNCC President in February 2019. Thirunavukkarasar was his predecessor.
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