Selvaperunthagai, the president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, has once again stirred controversy within his alliance by asserting that Congress hasn’t received the respect it deserves. He emphasized the need for recognition and urged party cadres to strengthen the organization independently for the 2029 elections. This comes after the DMK-Congress alliance swept all 39 constituencies in the Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha elections, where Congress contested and won all 9 seats it contested.
Critics from opposition parties, including the BJP, and political analysts allege that Congress’s victories are solely due to DMK’s support, arguing that Congress lacks its own voter base in Tamil Nadu. Responding to these criticisms, Selvaperunthagai stated that Congress will indeed contest the 2029 parliamentary elections alone in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at an executive meeting organised by the Tiruvallur district Congress, attended by party leaders such as Thiruvallur MP Sasikant Senthil and others, Selvaperunthagai reiterated the importance of strengthening the party.
Selvaperunthagai said, “All the leaders here are talking about our structure. The message that comes to my ears is that when we become part of any alliance, be it the 2021 assembly elections or the 2024 parliamentary elections, we are not given due respect and recognition. Somehow, we are being neglected and we want this respect. All the regional heads, city heads, and district heads are asking, when will we get our recognition, they say it is not right in two or three elections. We will get self-respect and dignity only if we strengthen our party machinery.”
He mentioned that they had already visited all 38 revenue districts once, and now they were revisiting them. According to feedback from cadres, Selvaperunthagai indicated at concerns about the alliance members not showing sufficient respect. He advised that to regain respect, they should focus on strengthening the Congress structure in Tamil Nadu. Later, he emphasized that the Congress aimed to win the 2029 elections independently, sending 19 members from Tamil Nadu to the Parliament.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Selvaperunthagai highlighted the significance of Tiruvallur in his political journey and expressed confidence in Congress’s prospects in the upcoming elections. His statements have sparked discussions not only among DMK members but also within the Congress party itself.
திமுக கூட்டணியில் உரிய மரியாதை இல்லை..! 2029 தேர்தலில் தனித்து போட்டியிடும் அளவிற்கு வலிமையாக உள்ளோம்.. செல்வப்பெருந்தகை பரபரப்பு பேச்சு.. ஆனால் வெளியே வந்து வேறு மாதிரி பேட்டி#Tiruvallur | #DMK | #Congress | #Selvaperunthagai | #ParliamentElection2024 | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/ggWPSgPF8s
— Polimer News (@polimernews) July 18, 2024
This wasn’t the first instance he spoke in this manner. Previously, during the state general committee meeting on 11 June 2024, Selvaperunthagai posed a significant question to the party cadres, “How much longer do we continue depending on others?” His speech delved into the party’s historical journey in Tamil Nadu, prompting introspection among the cadres.
Selvaperunthagai emphasized, “‘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.“
"இன்னும் எத்தனை நாட்கள் தான் பிறரை சார்ந்திருப்பது?… காங்கிரஸ் கட்சிக்கென்று வரலாறு இருக்கிறது"… காங். கமிட்டியின் மாநில பொதுக்குழு கூட்டத்தில் செல்வபெருந்தகை பேச்சால் சலசலப்பு #Chennai | #Congress | #Selvaperunthagai | #Alliance | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/TgvRCTLqJY
— Polimer News (@polimernews) June 11, 2024
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.
#JUSTIN | முதன்மை கட்சியாக காங்கிரஸ் மாற வேண்டும் – செல்வப்பெருந்தகை#Selvaperunthagai | #Congress | #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/FqxqmOlO2s
— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) May 13, 2024
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