Cong replaces rebel women's wing chief in TN

CHENNAI: In a setback to dissidents seeking removal of TNCC chief E V K S Elangovan, the party's mahila congress president S Vijaydharani was sacked from the post and replaced by a little known women's wing district president M Jhansirani appointed by her.
The announcement made by AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi in Delhi stated that the decision was taken by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in his capacity as the overall in-charge of the party's frontal organisations.A triumphant Elangovan camp said this was expected as Vijaydharani had continued to indulge in anti-party activity despite warnings.
Vijaydharani, sitting MLA from Vilavancode in Kanyakumari district, was believed to have the tacit backing of senior leader P Chidambaram and former state unit chief K Thangkabalu who had taken a delegation of state party leaders to Delhi on October 30. They had also conveyed to Rahul Gandhi on January 20 that either Elangovan should be replaced with a leader who could effectively negotiate alliances for the assembly elections or a panel of seniors should be constituted to oversee the election planning.
A shocked Vijaydharani told TOI, “This is gross injustice. Elangovan has forced the high command to send me out. I am surprised that Rahulji instead of taking action against Elangovan who abused me and some Mahila Congress workers badly over the past two months, has acted against a victim like me.After Rahulji gives me an explanation, I will take a decision on my future course of action.“