Fresh turbulence appears to be brewing within the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), with strong indications that party president Selvaperunthagai could face removal amid mounting internal dissatisfaction and strained alliance dynamics with the DMK.
According to political sources, discontent within the state Congress unit has been simmering since Selvaperunthagai’s appointment, with several functionaries alleging that he has functioned more as a supporter of the DMK than as an independent Congress leader. The situation has now escalated to the point where multiple senior leaders from Tamil Nadu have reportedly camped in Delhi to brief the party high command.
Growing Internal Dissent
Party insiders claim that instead of focusing on strengthening the Congress in Tamil Nadu, Selvaperunthagai’s public positioning during alliance negotiations has triggered unease within the ranks. He is part of the five-member committee headed by Girish Chodankar tasked with holding seat-sharing talks with the DMK.
Following the discussions, Selvaperunthagai repeatedly told the media that negotiations were progressing smoothly and that the Congress expected to receive the desired number of seats. However, Chodankar later publicly stated that the DMK was unwilling to allot the number of seats sought by the Congress and that accepting just 25 seats would not be feasible.
Political observers say this divergence exposed clear differences within the Congress leadership in Tamil Nadu.
Seat-sharing Flashpoint
The immediate flashpoint appears to be the DMK’s firm position that it will not allot more than 25 Assembly seats to the Congress – the same number given in the 2021 election. Several Congress leaders have expressed frustration that the party has been unable to negotiate a higher seat share.
There is also resentment within the state unit that Selvaperunthagai has been overly conciliatory towards the DMK. Critics within the party allege that he has failed to take concrete steps to expand the Congress’s organisational strength in Tamil Nadu and has instead focused on publicly praising Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
His recent Assembly speech, in which he compared Stalin to historical figures such as Raja Raja Chola and Karna and referred to him as “Thaayumanavar” is said to have further aggravated sections of the Congress cadre.
Complaints Reach High Command
Sources indicate that multiple complaint petitions have now reached the Congress central leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and general secretary K.C. Venugopal.
The leadership is understood to be simultaneously reviewing two key questions – whether the Congress should continue its alliance with the DMK, and whether a leadership change is required in the Tamil Nadu unit.
Parallel Power Centres
The situation has become more complex with parallel political activity unfolding in Delhi and Chennai.
While one faction of Congress leaders is lobbying the high command in Delhi for a tougher stand with the DMK, another group including Selvaperunthagai and senior leader P. Chidambaram has been engaging directly with Chief Minister Stalin in Chennai, strongly favouring continuation of the alliance.
Political sources suggest the meeting between Chidambaram and Stalin at the Chief Minister’s Alwarpet residence is being closely watched within Congress circles.
TVK Emerges as Alternative
Amid the uncertainty, discussions have reportedly begun within sections of the Congress about a potential alignment with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) if talks with the DMK collapse.
Observers note that Congress’s options outside the DMK front are limited, making TVK a possible fallback. At the same time, TVK too has struggled to attract alliance partners despite repeated public invitations from Vijay promising power-sharing arrangements.
However, the move is not without risks. Party leaders are said to be weighing whether allegations currently surrounding TVK and its leadership could impact the Congress electorally.
Grassroots Pressure Builds
Importantly, dissatisfaction is not confined to the top leadership. Grassroots Congress workers and second-rung leaders have reportedly conveyed to the high command that the party is not receiving due respect within the DMK alliance.
Some within the party believe exiting the alliance may be necessary to demonstrate Congress’s independent vote strength in Tamil Nadu.
Rajya Sabha Factor Adds Urgency
The timing of the crisis is significant. The deadline for Rajya Sabha nominations is imminent, and the DMK had earlier indicated it would allot one seat to the Congress. That assurance now appears contingent on the alliance being finalised.
DMK sources maintain the party is firm on its seat-sharing position and has conveyed that it will not exceed the 25-seat formula. The ball, they suggest, is now in the Congress court.
Split Speculation Surfaces
In a further twist, political chatter has emerged that if the Congress high command decides to exit the DMK alliance, some pro-DMK Congress leaders including Selvaperunthagai and Chidambaram could explore alternative political options, including the possibility of a new formation. There is no official confirmation of this scenario.
Crucial Hours Ahead
With simultaneous consultations underway in Delhi and Chennai, political observers say the coming hours could prove decisive. The outcome is expected to determine whether the DMK-Congress alliance continues, whether Congress explores an understanding with TVK, or whether internal divisions within the Tamil Nadu Congress deepen further.
For now, uncertainty hangs over both the alliance arithmetic in Tamil Nadu and the future of Selvaperunthagai’s leadership.
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