News Tamil Nadu

Selvaperunthagai Vs EVKS Elangovan – A War Of Words Between The Two Congress Leaders

June 11, 2024
The Commune

President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, Selvaperunthagai has raised a pertinent query to the party cadres during the state general committee meeting on 11 June 2024, “How much longer do we continue depending on others?” His address delved into the historical backdrop of the party in Tamil Nadu, prompting reflection among the party cadres. In response, former leader EVKS Elangovan emphasized the importance of aspirations without veering into unchecked ambition, sparking significant dialogue within the Congress ranks.

This stir comes against the backdrop of the recent announcement of results of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results electoral coalition led by AIADMK suffered a resounding defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, failing to secure a single seat and even losing deposits in some areas, relegating the party to third place. Conversely, based on vote percentage the BJP has overtaken the Congress despite Congress candidates triumphing in all contested constituencies, a stark contrast to their performance in 2014 when they failed to secure any seats and often placed fourth or fifth, losing deposits in many instances.

Despite this success, many attributed this victory to the support of the DMK. This sentiment was challenged by Selvaperunthagai during the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee’s State General Committee meeting, where he questioned the party’s perpetual dependence on others in the state and advocated for independent growth. His remarks stirred controversy within the DMK-Congress alliance.

Selvaperunthagai said, “‘Are we going to depend on others’ or ‘Are we going to be on our own?’ How long can you depend on others? The Congress organisation has a history. Congress organisation has crossed 139 years, and we have an ideology that embraces, supports, and gives voice to all people, which no other party has. Why BJP could not make a Christian or a Muslim minister, our parliamentarians have won 99 out of which two have volunteered and joined the Congress saying we are on the side of I.N.D.I, today the tally is 101, and the tally is going to go up.“

Former Congress Committee President and current Erode MLA, EVKS Elangovan, responded to Selvaperunthagai’s remarks during the meeting, emphasizing the pivotal role played by the DMK in the alliance’s success. He cautioned against letting ambition turn into greed and stressed the importance of focusing on defeating adversaries rather than solely pursuing victory. His impassioned speech, rooted in the shared legacy of the Congress, did not resonate with many attendees, as some cadres made sounds only later Selvaperunthagai highlighting the need for unity and cooperation within the party, even as different factions vie for influence.

EVKS Elangovan said, “If you say that we have got 40 (seats) in Tamil Nadu today, you should not forget that it is because of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its Chief Minister Stalin. On that day we stood alone in Sivagangai and Kanniyakumari, lost by getting 1 lakh votes each, and lost our deposit in all the others. Who has no desire here, Don’t we have a desire to come? Now, even if we have a desire to come on the one side, the important thing is to defeat our enemy, we choose the path to do so, unless … (instead) I will win, I will stand alone, I will lose alone, that’s your wish.”

Later reiterating the congress victory in Tamil Nadu to Stalin, Elangovan said, “I’m not saying that desire should exist, it should not turn into greed and end up with nothingness.”

Previously in May 2024, speaking at a Congress executive meeting in Arani, Tiruvannamalai district, Selvaperunthagai expressed, “How long will we wait for another party to give us seats? In Tamil Nadu, the Congress party should grow from the position of asking for seats to the position of giving seats.” Selvaperunthagai, openly expressed his grievances, highlighting the 2026 state assembly elections. He emphasized the party’s past role as a decisive force in the 1950s and urged party members to aim for that level of authority once again. His candid remarks have reportedly caused a commotion within the I.N.D.I Alliance in Tamil Nadu.

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