A public celebration of the Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu turned sour when a DMK legislator was caught on camera assaulting a fellow party member. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local political unit and sparked controversy on social media.
Violence Mars Pongal Celebration
The altercation took place on Sunday during a ‘Samathuva Pongal’ programme organised near Periyapalam. The event was part of the Pongal festivities in the Gummidipoondi constituency. Eyewitnesses and a now-viral video confirm that DMK MLA T J Govindarajan slapped Munivel, who serves as the DMK presidium chairman of the Ellapuram panchayat union.
The Spark That Ignited the Conflict
According to sources within the party, the confrontation was not a spontaneous outburst but had a clear trigger. Munivel reportedly questioned the MLA for not providing proper prior intimation about a different party programme that was organised recently. This public questioning of his authority is said to have angered Govindarajan immensely, leading him to allegedly slap the functionary.
The sudden act of violence left other party workers and attendees at the spot stunned and shocked. The festive atmosphere was completely disrupted by this display of aggression.
Underlying Tensions and Immediate Aftermath
Party insiders suggest that this public clash is merely the tip of the iceberg. The incident is reportedly the result of a long-simmering power struggle within the local DMK unit between the MLA and Munivel. The Pongal event provided the stage for these internal tensions to spill into the open.
Fortunately, other functionaries present at the scene intervened immediately. Their quick action prevented the physical altercation from escalating further and potentially turning into a larger brawl. The video of the assault, however, found its way onto social media by Monday, where it went viral, drawing widespread attention and criticism.
This incident raises serious questions about discipline and decorum within political parties, especially at public events meant to foster community spirit. The DMK leadership is now faced with managing the fallout from this embarrassing episode involving one of its elected representatives.
