Beleaguered Elangovan finds support in DMK

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee might be riven by factionalism with a spate of complaints against its president EVKS Elangovan, but poll partner DMK is rooting for the beleaguered state unit chief. It is not surprising that Elangovan has an ally in the DMK, which feels he has been sympathetic to it and would be friendly and effective in facilitating an alliance for the state election.
Not long ago, when Elangovan's house was attacked by AIADMK cadres, enraged over the former's derogatory remarks at chief minister J Jayalalithaa, the DMK high-command sent a two-member team within an hour to extend support to the Congress leader. The DMK leaders recalled the TNCC chief dropping in at Gopalapuram residence of DMK chief M Karunanidhi, within days after assuming charge in November last year, giving indications of revival of the bonhomie between the erstwhile allies.
Elangovan's supporters point out that the PCC chief would be expected to share a good rapport with leadership of potential allies.
"The party may feel comfortable, if Elangovan continues to be president. He shares a good rapport with our party chief and that could lead to renewal of electoral ties," said a senior DMK leader. DMK pulled out of Congress-led UPA in 2013, after a nine-year-long association over differences on the Sri Lanka issue. The party is desperate to sew together a formidable alliance to take on the AIADMK. Last week, senior leaders, including M K Stalin and his half-sister Kanimozhi, had pitched for an united opposition.
Partymen say they are closely watching the developments in the TNCC camp. "Such squabbling is nothing new for Congress. Congress has been plagued by factional feuds,'' said a senior DMK functionary. DMK Madurai urban district secretary V Velusamy said the TNCC president brought 'action and life' into the otherwise dormant Congress.
"Congress got an active and energetic leader in the state unit after a long time," he said. The DMK camp felt that the Congress vote share has not eroded, after Elangovan took over the reins. "Irrespective of the squabbles, the cadres have stuck to the party by and large despite former Union minister G K Vasan quitting the party, taking with him a section of the leaders and some cadres," said a DMK leader.