CHENNAI/MADURAI: The ruling DMK on Tuesday asked its functionaries not to discuss about allies or seat sharing in public. The party’s diktat follows Tamil Nadu Congress Committee’s (TNCC) sharp reaction to DMK’s Madurai North MLA G Thalapathi’s critical remarks of the grand old party and two of its MPs at a meeting in Madurai recently.
That Thalapathi’s remarks was in bad taste was indicated by the strong reaction from TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, who has thus far spoken strongly in favour of the party continuing its alliance with the DMK, and even urging functionaries of his own party not to discuss alliance matters in the open.
In a post on X, the state Congress chief strongly condemned Thalapathi’s remarks made at a meeting to honour the martyrs of language struggle, and urged Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin to take action against the MLA.
“I urge the chief minister on behalf of TNCC to take appropriate action against DMK’s Madurai urban district secretary Thalapathi, who stomped over the dignity of the alliance, disrespected the grand old Congress party in public, and spoke disparagingly against the party’s MPs,” he said, adding the MLA’s speech was unnecessary and condemnable.
Responding to Thalapathi’s remarks, Selvaperunthagai said TNCC was in the process of finishing the work of constituting booth-level committees, and was working directly with the people. Thapalathi had criticised Congress for demanding share in power when, according to him, the party did not have presence at booth-level. He also attacked Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and Jothimani for being vocal about this demand.
Responding to Thalapathi’s comments on Monday, Tagore had said the days of friendly parties remaining silent to arrogant display of power is over. On Tuesday, he toned down his attack, saying the relationship between the DMK and Congress is a long-standing one.
“We are very clear that our leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin share a very good rapport. Therefore, this kind of demand by one MLA should not create cracks in the leadership or in the parties. That is why the TNCC president has demanded action against him,” he said.
Congress Assembly floor leader S Rajeshkumar and Karur MP S Jothimani also issued stern responses, warning against interference in the Congress’s internal matters and cautioning DMK leaders against making remarks that could strain alliance unity.
Later on Tuesday, DMK’s organising secretary RS Bharathi, in a post on X, urged party functionaries to completely avoid discussing about alliance partners or seat sharing in public.
“There is no use in creating unnecessary controversies. They should focus on constructive party work and act with the single objective of electoral victory,” he said, adding the DMK chief will make announcement regarding the alliance at appropriate time.
Recently, Stalin had urged party functionaries to leave the alliance-related matters to him.