Partners within the ruling DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu have united in a call for action, urging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to intervene and curb the activities of a party functionary they label as a disruptive force. They have identified AICC's Praveen Chakravarthy as an "irritant" whose actions are harming the cohesion of the INDIA bloc in the state.
Allies Voice Collective Concern Over Disruptive Actions
Senior leaders from allied parties have expressed growing frustration with Praveen Chakravarthy's conduct. They allege his recent activities, including meetings with TVK president Vijay on at least two occasions in recent months, have acted against the interests of the INDIA alliance. These moves, they say, have provided ample ammunition for opposition parties, particularly the BJP, to ridicule the coalition.
The BJP has been quick to capitalize on the situation, using what allies term "spurious information" shared by Praveen to target the DMK alliance for its own political gain. This internal discord, they argue, is unnecessarily weakening the front's unified stance.
Leaders Speak Out: A Plea for Intervention
MDMK principal secretary Durai Vaiko did not mince words, stating that repeated incidents of Praveen speaking against the alliance have disturbed its harmony. "Praveen's activities are against the interests of alliance partners and raise doubts about whether Congress is doing it on purpose," Durai Vaiko told Times of India. He accused the Congress functionary of fuelling narratives promoted by the BJP and asserted it is high time for Rahul Gandhi to step in and stop him for the sake of the alliance's future.
Echoing this sentiment, VCK MP Ravikumar joined the chorus demanding decisive action from the senior Congress leader. He warned that such internal squabbles severely weaken the morale of cadres across all alliance parties. Ravikumar emphasized that the INDIA bloc remains the strongest force in Tamil Nadu, with Chief Minister M K Stalin being the key pillar of its strength. "There is an image being built that the DMK alliance is in trouble, and Rahul should not allow it," the VCK MP stated. While appreciating Rahul Gandhi's staunch opposition to the BJP and RSS, Ravikumar lamented that individuals like Praveen Chakravarthy are weakening that very fight instead of strengthening it.
Alliance Solidarity Amidst Calls for Resolution
Other left allies, while acknowledging the issue, expressed confidence in the alliance's foundational strength. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam accepted that the "Praveen issue" had become a concern within the coalition. However, he believes it will not impact their electoral performance. "But Congress should sort it out," Shanmugam added succinctly.
Taking a similar stand, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian described the alliance as one based on solid ideology, which would not be impacted by such minor issues. He termed such friction as quite common in any multi-party coalition and expressed faith that the Congress leadership would resolve the matter internally. The unified message from the allies is clear: while the alliance's foundation is robust, the disruptive actions of one individual need immediate addressing from the top Congress leadership to prevent any erosion of public confidence and cadre morale.
