In a move typical of Congress leadership transitions, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed K Selvaperuthagai as the new President of the Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Committee (TNCC), sparking discontent among party veterans who had been vying for the position.
The unexpected announcement, made on the 17th, saw K. Selvaperunthagai replace K S Azhagiri as the TNCC president, with immediate effect. The decision was communicated by AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, on behalf of Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge. Additionally, S Rajeshkumar, a Congress MLA from the Killiyur constituency in Kanyakumari district, was named as the new Congress floor leader, succeeding Selvaperunthagai.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin extended congratulations to outgoing TNCC president Alagiri for his leadership since 2019 and welcomed the new appointments. However, the selection has left many party members disheartened, especially those who had been lobbying for the position over the past year.
Among the contenders for the TNCC presidency were several prominent figures, including Karthik Chidambaram, son of P Chidambaram, Karur MP Jothimani, EVKS Elangovan, MLA Vijayadharani, and others. However, Karthik Chidambaram’s candidacy was derailed due to controversial remarks made about Prime Minister Modi, while opposition within the party hindered Jothimani’s chances.
Meanwhile, Vijayadharni, a three-time MLA from Vilavancode, is reportedly exploring avenues for potential entry into the BJP due to dissatisfaction with the Congress leadership. She has expressed interest in contesting from the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by the BJP. Other names, including Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan, have also been floated for the seat.
Despite Congress’s demand for a double-digit number of seats in the upcoming elections, negotiations with the DMK have reportedly yielded fewer seats than anticipated. Selvaperunthangai, the newly appointed TNCC president, is expected to accept the party’s decisions without protest, akin to his predecessor.
The leadership shuffle has underscored internal rifts within the Congress, with dissenting voices expressing frustration over leadership decisions and the party’s electoral strategy. As Tamil Nadu gears up for the polls, the political landscape remains turbulent, with key players manoeuvring to secure their positions and alliances.
