CHENNAI: Internal strife in the Congress in the State is threatening to snowball into a major showdown between the TNCC president and other factions in the days to come.
Discontent against TNCC chief S Thirunavukkarasar began to simmer ever since he organised an event to pay tributes to late chief minister MG Ramachandran at Sathiyamoorthy Bhavan recently. This evoked sharp criticism from several quarters in the party.
Detractors accused him of attempting to side with AIADMK ever since he took over the reins. He played a key role in inviting Rahul Gandhi to visit late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa when she was hospitalised in order create an impression that the national party may veer away from DMK alliance.
“Ever since he took over as TNCC president, Thirunavukkarasar is trying to antagonise DMK,” a senior Congress leader recalled. The February 18 trust vote in the Assembly too led to bickering in the party with Thirunavukkarasar allegedly trying to side with AIADMK faction led by VK Sasikala. Top leaders of the state had wrangled in front of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
It was alleged that Thirunavukkarasar had tried to convince the High Command, though in vain, to support the Sasikala faction. Party insiders said his bid was squarely foiled by senior leaders P Chidambaram, EVKS Elangovan and KR Ramasamy, Congress Legislature Party leader in Tamil Nadu Assembly.
However, Thirunavukkarasar denied allegations levelled against him.
“Sasikala faction of AIADMK did not ask for our support in the Assembly. Having enough numbers, why should they seek our support. Our party’s stand was clear right from the beginning,” he told Express.