Congress Member of Parliament from Karur, S Jothimani, has publicly expressed deep concern over the internal conflicts plaguing the party's Tamil Nadu unit, alleging deliberate attempts to undermine its political and ideological standing in the state.
MP's Public Outcry Over Internal Sabotage
In a detailed post on social media platform X on Friday, Jothimani stated that the state Congress finds itself in the news daily for the wrong reasons. She claimed that efforts are being made within the party to prevent her from submitting the list of booth committee agents to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The MP asserted that for the personal gains of a few individuals, the party in Tamil Nadu is being steered towards a path of destruction.
Sources within the Congress indicated that Jothimani's frustration stems from a lack of support from the party's district unit in Dindigul. This is significant because the Vedasandur assembly segment, which falls under the Dindigul district, is part of her Karur Lok Sabha constituency.
Warning Against Communal Forces and Call for Unity
Jothimani's critique extended beyond internal matters to the broader political landscape. She warned that Tamil Nadu is confronting an unprecedented threat from communal forces. According to her, a specific group is attempting to dismantle the legacy of social justice, self-respect, and welfare-oriented politics established by stalwarts like Kamaraj and Periyar.
She emphasized that facing the upcoming elections in this volatile scenario is a collective responsibility for all parties. However, she expressed doubt about whether the Congress leadership has fully grasped the magnitude of this responsibility, questioning the party's preparedness for the electoral battle ahead.
TNCC Chief's Response and Another Resignation
Reacting to the allegations, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai stated that he had attempted to address Jothimani's concerns internally. He expressed shock that she chose to air her grievances publicly. Selvaperunthagai acknowledged the existence of internal strife within the party's Karur unit but affirmed that he had taken steps to resolve the issues.
Simultaneously, the party faced another setback as A P Surya Prakasam, a member of the TNCC's assets and properties restoration committee, resigned from his post. In his resignation statement, Prakasam accused Selvaperunthagai of trying to transform the TNCC into a "slave camp of the DMK," the ruling party in the state.
Prakasam went further, demanding that the Congress align itself with actor Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He argued that such an alliance could help the Congress achieve a share in power and government, which he described as a long-standing dream for the party's workers.
The public airing of grievances by a sitting MP and the resignation of a committee member highlight the deepening fissures within the Tamil Nadu Congress. These developments pose a significant challenge to the party's unity and its strategy ahead of crucial elections, as it struggles to present a cohesive front against both rival political fronts and internal discord.
