Congress to revamp Tamil Nadu unit, state party chief to face the axe over 'proximity' to DMK?

Sources indicate former Krishnagiri MP A Chellakumar and the party’s whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, are the frontrunners to helm the state unit at a time when the Congress is part of the Tamil Nadu government for the first time in 59 years.

Chennai: With shifting political equations in Tamil Nadu following the party joining the TVK government, the Congress has set in motion the process of revamping its faction-ridden Tamil Nadu unit by appointing a new president to replace K Selvaperunthagai, who is perceived as being too close to the DMK.

Sources told DH that former Krishnagiri MP A Chellakumar and the party’s whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, are the frontrunners to helm the state unit at a time when the Congress is part of the Tamil Nadu government for the first time in 59 years.

S Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan are the ministers for Tourism and Higher Education, respectively.

Selvaperunthagai – who joined the Congress about 15 years ago after stints with several parties including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) – has failed to enjoy the confidence of a majority of functionaries during his nearly two-year tenure as the TNCC chief.

He was made the state unit chief in February 2024 at the insistence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge despite opposition from senior leader Rahul Gandhi, who preferred a young face.

As TNCC chief, Selvaperunthagai was opposed to a pre-poll alliance with the TVK and faced a barrage of attacks online and offline for his stance -- so much so that he declared immediately after candidate selection that he would not continue as the TNCC chief after the elections.

He also faced allegations of surrendering the party's rights to the DMK, its former senior partner.

While a pre-poll alliance with the TVK was thwarted by the old guard, the new guard swung into action immediately after the election results delivered a hung assembly, walking out of the DMK alliance and extending support to the new party.

“Discussions regarding the change of guard have begun, and a new PCC chief is likely to be appointed in a few weeks. Appointing a new team has become absolutely necessary in Tamil Nadu with the Congress breaking its long-standing ties with the DMK and allying with the ruling TVK, which is relatively a new party,” a source aware of the developments told DH.

The source added that the leadership believes the state unit should be helmed by someone who can take along multiple factions within the Tamil Nadu Congress and develop a good working relationship with the ruling TVK.

A new leader is also crucial to getting the Congress battle-ready for the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, with the party declaring that it will contest the elections in an alliance with the TVK.

“Both Chellakumar and Tagore have been pushing for the Congress’ growth in the state and are known for their anti-DMK stand. By appointing either of the two, the party also wants to sharpen its attack on the DMK while maintaining a harmonious relationship with Chief Minister Vijay and his TVK,” another source said.

Sources said the leadership believes Chellakumar, a former MP and MLA, who has worked at the organisational level can take several factions along with him.

A senior leader said the new leader should also increase the party’s appeal among every section of society by leveraging its presence in the government.

“We expect the civic body elections to be held early next year, and the Congress wants to utilize the opportunity to send several of its cadres to the local bodies. We believe a new leadership is needed to prepare the party for the elections,” the leader added.