Slowly but steadily, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president E.V.K.S. Elangovan seems to be taking total control of the party unit, with many of those occupying the post of District President owing allegiance to his faction.
Sources in the Congress said the development had not gone down well with many senior leaders, reflected in the clash between supporters of former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and those of Mr. Elangovan at the Satyamuthy Bhavan on Saturday.
According to a senior leader, 57 of the 61 District Presidents post have now been filled.
In the latest round of 24 appointments, a majority are those who hold a favourable view of Mr. Elangovan. A former legislator, considered close to Mr. Chidambaram, said no consultations were held before making such appointments.
“They have systematically kept out followers of other leaders. When he took over the reins, Mr. Elangovan said he would take every one along to strengthen the party. This is not happening,” rues the leader.
A close aide of Mr. Elangovan said with the Assembly elections due next year, it was necessary that the TNCC president had complete control over the party.
“This will help negotiating alliances without any hindrance. The appointments only show he has full support of the high command,” claims the leader.
However, last week saw a blow to Mr. Elangovan as the AICC revoked the suspension of six party functionaries identified with Mr. Chidambaram’s group.
Meanwhile, the BJP and the Congress hit out at each other over the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo on Saturday.
“No locus standi” While Mr. Elangovan accused Mr. Modi of holding friendly talks with a person inimical to the welfare of the Tamil population, BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan said the Congress had no locus standi to make such a remark as it was the UPA government that helped Mr. Rajapaksa with arms during the final stages of the civil war in 2009.