Manickam Tagore, the Virudhunagar MP appointed as the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president, was sworn in at Sathyamurthy Bhavan in Chennai on Sunday.
Former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son, MP Karthi Chidambaram, did not attend the event. Party sources said their absence was linked to displeasure over Tagore’s appointment.
Amid the leadership change, Rajan, the state general secretary of the party’s farmers’ wing, resigned, citing protest over Karthi not being appointed as the state president.
In his address, Tagore said the party needed the support of all leaders to grow stronger and urged them to set aside “ego” and work with unity. He also claimed Rahul Gandhi enjoyed higher public support than Chief Minister Vijay, and said the party should aim to win by rallying behind Rahul.
Tagore added that money would not be required to secure posts such as MLA, MP or councillor, and that positions would go to those who work. He said that if Rahul becomes Prime Minister, the party would pursue a five-point agenda in Tamil Nadu, including scrapping NEET, resolving the Cauvery water issue, stopping the Mekedatu dam, ensuring permanent safety for fishermen, and improving financial devolution to the state. He also said the alliance with TVK would continue for local body elections. Separately, former state Congress chief Alagiri said Selva Perunthagai would not join the DMK merely because he was replaced as state president.
