Congress MP Jothimani has once again raised strong concerns over the party’s candidate list for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, stating that the selection process has triggered widespread dissatisfaction among party workers.
She welcomed the decision to renominate 12 sitting MLAs but indicated that there was significant disappointment and anger among party cadres in constituencies where long-time workers were overlooked.
Jothimani stated that candidates appeared to have been finalised in advance, with constituencies allocated accordingly. She noted that several individuals who had worked for the party for decades, and who possessed grassroots influence and electoral viability, had been denied opportunities. In contrast, she pointed out that relatively new entrants with limited field experience had been given tickets.
Highlighting regional concerns, she said that in the Kongu Nadu belt of western Tamil Nadu, communities such as the Kongu Vellala Gounder and Arunthathiyar, which hold considerable electoral influence across 38 constituencies, had not been adequately represented. She described this as unprecedented in the state’s political history.
She further observed that while two seats were allotted to sub-groups within the Kongu Vellala Gounder community, the broader community had been overlooked. Similarly, despite securing 28 constituencies, including six reserved seats, the party had failed to provide representation to the Arunthathiyar community, which she described as among the most marginalised. She also noted that only two women had been given tickets.
Jothimani stated that these decisions were inconsistent with the Congress party’s stated commitment to social justice and were at odds with the political position of Rahul Gandhi.
She expressed concern that the Tamil Nadu Congress leadership and party in-charges appeared disconnected from ground realities, including the party’s future in the state, the prevailing political climate, and the sentiments of committed party workers. She asserted that party workers had the democratic right to reject the list.
The MP acknowledged that efforts to reverse the decisions had not succeeded but said that she and others had at least represented the concerns of grassroots workers. She added that she felt a sense of alienation for the first time in her three-decade association with the party.
She indicated that a more detailed response would be provided after the completion of voting, citing the broader political situation in Tamil Nadu.
Jothimani also conveyed her support to Congress workers across the state, noting that despite the party being out of power in Tamil Nadu for nearly six decades, cadres had continued to uphold the party’s presence with commitment.
காங்கிரஸ் கட்சியின் வேட்பாளர் பட்டியலில் 12 சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினர்களுக்கு மீண்டும் வாய்ப்பளிக்கபட்டுள்ளதை வரவேற்கிறேன். அதே நேரத்தில் மீதமுள்ள தொகுதிகளில் காங்கிரஸ் கட்சித் தொண்டர்களின் மனக்குமுறலையும், கொந்தளிப்பையும் என்னால் புரிந்துகொள்ள முடிகிறது.
வேட்பாளர்கள் முன்பே… pic.twitter.com/2yC8pQ5reG
— Jothimani (@jothims) April 3, 2026
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