Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai issued a stern directive to party office-bearers on Saturday, cautioning them against publicly discussing the intricacies of the party's alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
Strict Warning on Alliance Discourse
The warning from the state Congress chief came in the wake of recent public statements made by a couple of Congress Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu. These MPs had voiced opinions that the TNCC should negotiate for a greater number of seats and a share in power within the DMK-led alliance for the upcoming electoral battles.
Addressing media personnel in Chennai, Selvaperunthagai explicitly asked party functionaries to refrain from airing their views on the alliance in the public domain. He emphasised that if any office-bearer had suggestions or opinions regarding the alliance, the proper channel was to inform the party leadership internally.
"We exercise control over the party and should not cross the line," Selvaperunthagai stated. He reminded everyone that the party had constituted a five-member committee, and that this panel would be the sole official voice on all matters pertaining to the alliance.
Clarification on Vijay Film Controversy
The press interaction also provided Selvaperunthagai an opportunity to address another recent controversy involving Congress functionaries. A day prior, several party members had expressed support for actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay, after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) denied a certificate for his film 'Jana Nayagan'.
This show of support had attracted criticism from certain quarters. The TNCC president sought to clarify the party's position, drawing a clear distinction. He argued that the posts made by Congress functionaries were primarily condemning the actions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre.
Selvaperunthagai alleged that the BJP was misusing the CBFC to target political opponents and their sympathisers. "The posts condemning the BJP govt do not amount to supporting Vijay. There is no politics in it," he explained. He further noted that even Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin had condemned the BJP government's handling of the issue, framing it as a broader attack on democratic dissent rather than an isolated film certification problem.
Implications for Party Discipline
This public admonition highlights the Congress leadership's intent to maintain a disciplined public front, especially concerning its critical alliance with the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. The directive aims to prevent any public negotiation or display of discontent that could potentially strain the coalition dynamics or give an advantage to opposing political fronts.
By redirecting all alliance-related discussions to the internal five-member panel, the TNCC leadership is centralising communication and strategy. Simultaneously, the clarification on the Vijay film issue demonstrates the party's attempt to navigate local political sentiments while squarely blaming the central government, a consistent theme in its current political narrative.
