In a scathing critique from within, Congress Member of Parliament Jothimani has raised a red flag about the deteriorating state of her party's unit in Tamil Nadu. She warned that selfish interests of a few leaders are preventing the party from performing basic election duties and steering it towards a path of gradual ruin.
Internal Strife Paralyzes Election Preparations
Taking to social media on Friday, Jothimani expressed deep concern over the direction of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC). She stated that its current trajectory is diametrically opposite to the selfless, principled, and fearless politics embodied by party leader Rahul Gandhi. "We cannot betray his hard work and unparalleled sacrifice," she asserted.
The MP highlighted a critical procedural failure, pointing out that no political party would typically obstruct its own parliamentary members from submitting the list of polling booth agents to the Election Commission. "Yet, in the Congress party, that is precisely what is happening," Jothimani revealed. She emphasized that the unchecked internal conflicts within the state unit are causing profound disillusionment among the ranks.
A Broader Political Warning for Tamil Nadu
Placing her criticism in a wider context, Jothimani sounded an alarm about the political challenges facing Tamil Nadu. She claimed the state is confronting an unprecedented peril from communalist, separatist, and violent forces—a statement seen as a veiled criticism of the Congress's ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections less than four months away, she stressed that the situation demands a responsible approach from all political parties. Jothimani questioned whether the Congress was meeting that responsibility. She made an emotional appeal, stating that the party must not abandon its loyal workers who have carried the Congress flag in every village for sixty years out of power, nor the people of Tamil Nadu who stand firm for social justice and state rights.
Alliance Dynamics and Seat-Sharing Tensions
Jothimani's remarks come at a crucial time when political parties are intensifying negotiations for alliances. The DMK-led front, which includes the Congress, appears largely intact despite occasional murmurs of discontent from Congress leaders.
Meanwhile, the opposition camp remains in flux. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state currently has only the AIADMK and the BJP as confirmed partners. Within the Congress itself, after initially muted demands, the party is now reportedly planning to seek a larger share of seats, aiming for at least 40, in the upcoming assembly elections.
The public airing of such grave internal grievances underscores the significant challenges the Congress faces in Tamil Nadu as it prepares for a high-stakes electoral battle, with unity and effective leadership being its most pressing concerns.
