The Congress party in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) has formally urged its national leadership to aggressively pursue the allocation of the Trichy East Assembly seat as part of its negotiations with the ruling DMK-led alliance. This push came during a crucial consultation meeting held on Monday, where local functionaries presented a strong case based on the constituency's demographics and the party's historical performance.
Key Meeting Chaired by AICC In-Charge
The strategic gathering took place at the party's urban district office near the Main Guard Gate. It was chaired by Nivedith Alva, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Tamil Nadu. The meeting served as a platform for local cadres to voice their demands directly to the central leadership, emphasizing the seat's importance for the party's revival in the region.
Why Congress Believes It Can Win Trichy East
Multiple leaders at the meeting argued passionately for claiming Trichy East. Their confidence stems from several key factors:
- Urban Character and Minority Base: Functionaries highlighted the constituency's urban profile and its sizeable minority voter base, which traditionally aligns with the Congress.
- Strong Past Performance: Party leaders pointed out that Congress finished as the runner-up in the 2016 Assembly elections for this seat, demonstrating a solid voter foundation.
- Recent Lok Sabha Representation: They bolstered their claim by noting that the Congress party represented the broader Trichy Lok Sabha constituency from 2019 to 2024.
- Local Body Presence: The party currently holds four councillor positions in the Trichy Corporation, elected in the 2022 urban local body polls, showcasing continued grassroots support.
The Current Political Landscape and Congress's Ambition
Trichy East is currently represented by DMK MLA Inigo Irudayaraj. Despite being in the alliance, Congress leaders believe they have a legitimate claim and a strong chance of winning the seat if it is allotted to them. Urban district Congress president L. Rex stated that the party's workers are convinced of their winning prospects in Trichy East.
The broader objective for the Congress is to secure at least one Assembly seat within the Trichy region under the DMK alliance umbrella. This demand underscores the party's effort to strengthen its foothold in Tamil Nadu's political landscape ahead of future elections, leveraging its existing local governance presence and historical voter connect.
