The simmering tensions within the Congress party in Tamil Nadu erupted into a public confrontation on Monday, as state unit president K Selvaperunthagai launched a sharp attack on All India Congress Committee (AICC) functionary Praveen Chakravarty. Selvaperunthagai accused Chakravarty of deliberately creating confusion within the party and attempting to sabotage the crucial alliance with the ruling DMK.
Allegations of BJP-RSS Infiltration
Addressing the media in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) chief did not mince words. He alleged that Praveen Chakravarty was acting on the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). "These are steps taken to create chaos in the alliance," Selvaperunthagai stated emphatically. He further claimed that the BJP and RSS had indirectly intruded into the Congress and were actively trying to disrupt the INDIA bloc partnership in the state.
Reaffirming the strength of the opposition coalition, the TNCC president asserted, "We will never allow it. The INDIA bloc is strong and the alliance talks with DMK will continue." This strong rebuttal was aimed at quelling any speculation about a rift in the opposition front.
The Tweet That Sparked the Storm
The controversy stems from a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by Praveen Chakravarty on Sunday. In his tweet, the AICC functionary compared the debt burdens of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that Tamil Nadu's fiscal situation was "alarming." The post quickly went viral, triggering a fierce backlash from both DMK and Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu, who issued strong rebuttals defending the state's financial management.
Distancing the state unit from Chakravarty's remarks, Selvaperunthagai clarified, "Praveen's voice is not the voice of TNCC. He is not the alternate president of TNCC." He criticized Chakravarty for engaging in speculation, a practice he claimed was alien to the Congress party's traditions. "Congress never works based on speculation, and those who do not know the tradition of the party will only indulge in creating speculation for their personal growth," the TNCC chief added.
Formal Complaint to High Command
In a significant escalation, K Selvaperunthagai revealed that he has taken the matter to the party's top leadership. He confirmed that he has written a formal letter to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, insisting on disciplinary action against Praveen Chakravarty.
"I have mentioned (in the letter) that a few Congress functionaries are supporting BJP in Tamil Nadu, about his (Praveen's) tweet, and about the previous incidents. They will take action," Selvaperunthagai told reporters, expressing confidence that the central leadership would address his concerns. This move underscores the depth of the internal rift and the state leadership's determination to clamp down on voices it perceives as damaging to the party's alliance interests in Tamil Nadu.
The public airing of this intra-party conflict highlights the challenges the Congress faces in managing internal dissent while maintaining crucial pre-poll alliances in key states. The outcome of this complaint to the high command will be closely watched for its implications on party discipline and the stability of the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu.
