Chennai: With reports suggesting Tamil Nadu Congress chief Selva Perunthagai could be replaced or may step down after the Assembly election results, competition within the party for the state president’s post has intensified.
Perunthagai was appointed TNCC president on February 17, 2024, after Azhagiri was removed. Even before his appointment, sections within the party had opposed him, but he is said to have secured the post with the backing of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
During the recently concluded Assembly election, differences reportedly emerged over alliance choices. While Rahul Gandhi is said to have favoured an alliance with Vijay’s TVK, Perunthagai maintained that the party should stay with the DMK alliance, and is reported to have discussed the matter with Kharge along with former Union minister P. Chidambaram.
The report claims Rahul did not fully agree, and consequently did not campaign extensively alongside DMK chief M.K. Stalin, campaigning only in six of the 28 constituencies contested by Congress. Perunthagai later announced during the campaign that he would step down after the election.
With results due on May 4, Congress sources said he may resign in the days that follow. Amid this, Rahul is said to have asked AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, to recommend five names for the post, as multiple leaders—including MPs Manickam Tagore, Jyothimani, Karti Chidambaram, Thiruvallur MP Sasikanth Senthil, and Assembly Congress leader Rajesh Kumar—are reported to be making moves, along with former TNCC chiefs and other seniors.
