CHENNAI: A fresh controversy has erupted within the Tamil Nadu Congress ahead of the Assembly elections, with ex-Tamil Nadu Mahila Congress president Hazeena Syed openly criticising state unit chief K Selvaperunthagai over alleged neglect of women leaders and ticket distribution.
In a statement to ANI, Syed accused the state leadership of sidelining women despite the party’s commitment to 33 per cent reservation. She linked the issue to what she described as “mismanagement and greed” within the state unit, claiming that women leaders in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been overlooked during the selection process.
Syed alleged that her candidature from the Krishnagiri constituency, which had reportedly been cleared by the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC), was withdrawn due to “biased interests.” She questioned why the party could not allocate nine seats — roughly a third of the 28 constituencies — to women, pointing out that the Bharatiya Janata Party had fielded five women candidates in comparison.
The dispute appears to have involved senior leaders at multiple levels. Syed claimed that Mallikarjun Kharge had initially opposed giving the Krishnagiri seat to A Chellakumar over alleged misconduct, but the situation evolved following intervention from Rahul Gandhi. According to her, a compromise was suggested in which Chellakumar would apologise, potentially retaining the seat while she could be accommodated elsewhere.
She also expressed appreciation for Karti P Chidambaram, stating that he had advocated for greater representation of women within the party, even raising the issue with Priyanka Gandhi. However, she alleged that these efforts ultimately did not influence the final decision, claiming that ticket allocation was heavily centralised.
The developments come just weeks before Tamil Nadu heads to the polls on April 23, with results scheduled for May 4. The election is expected to see a major contest between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the National Democratic Alliance, led in the state by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in alliance with the BJP and PMK.
Adding a new dimension to the race, actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to make his electoral debut with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, potentially turning the contest into a three-cornered battle.
(With inputs from ANI)