TNCC President K Selvaperunthagai Navigates First Election with Statewide Campaign
K Selvaperunthagai, newly appointed as the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president, is spearheading his inaugural election campaign with vigor. Rather than confining his efforts to his own constituency, he is traversing the entire state to bolster support for Congress candidates, emphasizing a broad-based approach to the upcoming polls.
Rahul Gandhi's Absence and Alliance Dynamics
With only ten days remaining until the Tamil Nadu election, questions have arisen regarding Rahul Gandhi's absence from the state. Selvaperunthagai clarified that Rahul has been occupied with campaigning in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, leaving no time for a Tamil Nadu visit. He firmly denied any rift with DMK leader M.K. Stalin, asserting that their relationship remains strong and they are scheduled to share the stage soon. An official announcement regarding this joint appearance is expected imminently.
Modi's Frequent Visits and Public Sentiment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made four trips to Tamil Nadu during this election cycle, a pattern Selvaperunthagai criticized as opportunistic. He noted that Modi typically visits only during elections, and the people of Tamil Nadu are well-aware of his intentions. Despite Modi's eight-plus visits during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Selvaperunthagai argued that these had minimal impact, stressing that electoral success hinges on genuine public affection rather than the frequency of visits. He highlighted Rahul Gandhi's deep connection with Tamil Nadu, describing it as a mutual bond of love and respect.
Internal Dissent and Candidate Selection
The Congress party is contesting only 28 seats in Tamil Nadu, leading to discontent among senior functionaries who were denied tickets. Selvaperunthagai acknowledged these grievances as natural in a large democratic party, where not everyone can be accommodated. He explained that the candidate selection was handled by the party leadership in Delhi, with no input from the state unit. However, he downplayed the impact of this dissent on the ground, expressing confidence that it would not affect the party's electoral performance.
Vijay's Political Entry and Alliance Confidence
Regarding actor Vijay's entry into politics, Selvaperunthagai stated that it would not disrupt the Congress-DMK alliance. He emphasized that their coalition is built on a solid ideological foundation and has endured over time, earning the trust of Tamil Nadu's electorate. With several new parties joining the alliance, he predicted a resounding victory, citing a history of consecutive wins.
Constituency Representation and Role Clarification
Addressing complaints about his limited visibility in his constituency over the past five years, Selvaperunthagai defended his role as an MLA. He explained that many people misunderstand the responsibilities of MLAs, which primarily involve legislative duties in the assembly rather than local grievance redressal—a task handled by ward members and local body representatives. He is actively educating his constituents about this distinction and reports growing understanding among them.
Thol Thirumavalavan's Withdrawal and Alliance Stability
On the topic of Thol Thirumavalavan's decision to withdraw his candidacy, Selvaperunthagai expressed uncertainty about the reasons but assured that it would not harm the alliance's prospects. He dismissed speculation that the DMK influenced this decision, questioning why the DMK would interfere in such matters. Overall, he remains optimistic about the alliance's winnability, projecting a strong majority in the upcoming election.
