Congress has appointed Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore as the new president of the party’s Tamil Nadu unit. The announcement was issued by the party leadership on Friday, relieving outgoing state chief Selvaperunthagai of the post.
Selvaperunthagai, who joined the Congress in 2010, had been appointed Tamil Nadu Congress president on February 17, 2024. The report said he later drew criticism within the party for being seen as overly close to the DMK and for publicly praising Chief Minister M K Stalin in the Assembly.
According to the report, differences also emerged over alliance choices for the Assembly election. While Rahul Gandhi and some leaders, including the party’s state in-charge and Tagore, were said to favour an alliance with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Selvaperunthagai remained firm on continuing with the DMK and held talks to confirm that tie-up.
After the election, the report said the DMK lost power and the TVK formed the government under Chief Minister Vijay, with Congress extending support and later securing two ministerial berths. The party leadership has now moved to place Tagore at the helm of the state unit.
In a statement, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said party president Mallikarjun Kharge had appointed Tagore and that he would take charge immediately, while also appreciating Selvaperunthagai’s contribution. Chief Minister Vijay congratulated Tagore on his appointment.
