Supporters of former Union minister P. Chidambaram in the Tamil Nadu Congress are said to be increasingly disillusioned over the lack of party posts and Assembly election tickets, and are now shifting allegiance to TVK.
Chidambaram and his son Karti are described as having supporters across the state, including some who earlier backed late former TNCC president E.V.K.S. Elangovan. The report says Chidambaram attempted to secure Assembly seats for his camp through the party high command in Delhi, but did not succeed.
As a result, several state and district-level functionaries who were close to him are said to be distancing themselves. The report claims that around 10,000 people, led by former TNCC general secretary Sundarrajan, will join TVK on July 19.
The report further states that during the tenure of former TNCC president Selvaperunthagai, Chidambaram’s supporters did not receive organisational posts and also failed to get tickets. It adds that some leaders from the camp—such as state functionary Arul Pethaiya, former Youth Congress president Vijay Ilanchezhiyan and OBC wing vice-president Raviraj—have moved to the faction led by current TNCC president Manickam Tagore.
According to the report, members of the group believe Chidambaram may be able to retain at least a section of his supporters only if he secures a significant position at the state or national level.
