Former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) state president E.V.K.S. Elangovan has sparked controversy by accusing Sivaganga Congress MP Karti Chidambaram of being self-serving and critical of the alliance after securing his election victory.
In a recent interview with ABP Nadu, Elangovan, the MLA for Erode East Assembly constituency, remarked that Karti Chidambaram’s desire for a cabinet position reveals his selfishness. According to him, being part of the DMK alliance extends beyond just winning elections; it involves working together to counteract forces like the BJP and Modi, who seek to “divide the nation.” Elangovan argued that voicing dissent against the coalition is inappropriate given these broader objectives.
Elangovan further highlighted that during the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress made no significant contribution to the campaign effort, with the DMK being the sole force driving the victory. He contended that any criticism of the coalition in this context is unjustified. Elangovan stressed that, “In the Lok Sabha elections, no one from the Congress worked, only the DMK worked. We won because of the DMK. In this case, such talk is wrong.”
The INDI Alliance secured all constituencies in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK playing a crucial role in this success. Elangovan noted the strong camaraderie between DMK President M.K. Stalin and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who share a common goal of opposing fascist and sectarian forces. He stressed that maintaining support for this alliance is vital and that personal opinions that undermine it are unacceptable.
Elangovan also mentioned that despite Chidambaram’s affluent background, no matter how prominent an individual may be, erroneous opinions should not be tolerated.
E.V.K.S. Elangovan’s criticism comes in response to Congress MP Karti Chidambaram’s recent comments on 20 July 2024, regarding the party’s performance in Tamil Nadu. Karti Chidambaram expressed concerns about the Congress party’s diminishing visibility and relevance in the state, emphasizing the need for corrective actions to address public issues and regain influence.
Karti Chidambaram, the MP for Sivaganga, noted that while other allies in the DMK-led coalition are actively asserting their positions, Congress has been hesitant to do the same. Although he commended the DMK government’s policies, he stressed that Congress must address pressing issues like quotation killings, police encounters, and electricity tariff hikes in Tamil Nadu, similar to the efforts of other alliance partners such as the VCK and CPI(M).
He argued that only by confronting these issues would the public pay attention to Congress again. Chidambaram also questioned the lack of action from Congress regarding the murder of Jayakumar Dhanasingh, the party’s Tirunelveli East district president, noting the absence of arrests and the party’s failure to demand answers.
Chidambaram pointed out that Congress is currently neither in power nor a strong opposition in Tamil Nadu, which has led to perceptions that the party lacks significance. He rejected the notion that Congress’s role is diminished solely because of its alliance with the DMK, asserting that while the party’s vote share in Tamil Nadu may not be large, it remains crucial to the alliance’s success. He emphasized that minorities in Tamil Nadu support the alliance with Congress, and that Congress’s position influences their votes.
“Congress adds value to the alliance,” Chidambaram said, noting that voters seeking to reject the BJP at both the state and national levels often look to Congress’s stance for guidance.
Earlier, TNCC President Selvaperunthagai met with a same fate at the state general committee meeting on 11 June 2024, by questioning the party’s ongoing reliance on allies. He urged the Congress to achieve self-reliance and reflect on its historical strength, challenging the party’s dependency on coalition partners.
Selvaperunthagai’s comments came in the wake of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, where the AIADMK-led coalition faced a crushing defeat, while the Congress, despite winning all contested constituencies, saw its performance overshadowed by the BJP’s improved vote share. The victory was widely attributed to support from the DMK, which led Selvaperunthagai to question the party’s future if it continues to rely on others.
During the meeting, Selvaperunthagai asked, “How long will we depend on others? The Congress has a rich history and a unique ideology that other parties lack. The Congress must strive for independent growth rather than constantly depending on alliances.” His remarks sparked significant discussion within the party, highlighting the need for greater self-reliance and internal strength.
In response, former Congress leader and current Erode MLA EVKS Elangovan defended the alliance, emphasizing the crucial role of the DMK in the Congress’s success. He cautioned against allowing ambition to become greed, stressing that the focus should remain on defeating political adversaries rather than purely on achieving victory. Elangovan underscored that the success in Tamil Nadu was largely due to the support from DMK and its leader, Stalin, and warned against undermining this collaboration.
Earlier, in May 2024, Selvaperunthagai had similarly criticized the party’s dependence on other entities for electoral success and advocated for the Congress to reclaim its influential role, reminiscent of its past prominence. His comments have created ripples within the I.N.D.I Alliance in Tamil Nadu, prompting an internal reflection on the party’s strategic direction and alliances.
(With Inputs From ABP & India Today)
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