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“DMK Has Kept Us Like Slaves, We Should Act Like An Opposition Accordingly”: TN Congress Member At Executive Committee Meeting

The Commune

The Congress Executive Committee meeting in Tamil Nadu saw a volunteer spill out harsh truths about the DMK and the Congress party. This meeting is said to have taken place on 4 July 2024.

A Congress member speaking to the audience said, “DMK could not win a Councillor seat or Municipality Ward seat. See how they are controlling us. They are using us as slaves. We must behave as a true opposition party accordingly. This is one point. Secondly, be it the District president or circle leader, tell me what the DMK is doing. They do everything for themselves. What is their income? What will they spend it on? How can they form the government? We couldn’t even form a Booth committee. If we ask them, they say, wait let me find out. We don’t have one. They say it is an expenditure (Booth committee), but they did not give the money as well. They did not give for the Parliamentary elections either. The District President did not give us the money.”

At this point, he was interrupted by the people sitting on the dais. He continued saying, “Let me finish shortly. This is what is happening. So, the village committee, and booth committee should protest against the DMK along with the support of the people. Only then will the party grow. Otherwise, there is no chance for the party to grow. There is no flagpole in any village or town. They cannot even save the existing Congress workers. There is no way to bring in new people too. Only if we do this, will the party flourish. There are so many parties that came after us and have grown so well, they are all having fun, I do not want to talk about it.”

It is noteworthy that Tamil Nadu Congress party president Selvaperunthagai had 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?”, he asked. His address delved into the historical backdrop of the party in Tamil Nadu, prompting reflection among the party cadres. However, in response, former party leader EVKS Elangovan emphasized the importance of aspirations without veering into unchecked ambition, sparking significant dialogue within the Congress ranks. 

This stir came against the backdrop of the announcement of results of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results where the BJP overtook the Congress in terms of vote percentage 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.

Previously in May 2024, speaking at a Congress executive meeting in Arani, Tiruvannamalai district, Selvaperunthagai had said, “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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