Chennai: Speculation has surfaced over an imminent change of guard in the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) as the present incumbent, KS Alagiri, has completed two years in office. In an attempt to infuse young blood, the party appears to be preparing for an image makeover.
Ever since the Congress was dethroned by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 1967, the party has remained out of power and has been riding piggyback on either the DMK or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Reviving Kamaraj rule, a euphemism for Congress rule, remains a mere slogan to enthuse the cadre occasionally. However, the Congress continues to be the third force in the state's political landscape.
Current TNCC president KS Alagiri was appointed in February 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha poll and his tenure also saw him preside over the 2021 Assembly elections as well. In the assembly election, the Congress had won 18 seats out of the 25 it had contested in alliance with the DMK, with a 72% strike rate.
Of late, Congress is making a conscious effort in the state to groom young leaders. A case in point is the elevation of K Selvaperunthagai as the CLP leader in the TN Assembly. Recently, Lok Sabha MP from Sivaganga, Karti P Chidambaram, had made it clear that he would like to be the TNCC president.
The talk of leadership change has gained momentum in the wake of the BJP appointing former IPS officer K Annamalai, who is into his late thirties, as the state unit chief. Besides being an OBC face of the party, he is from the Kongu region (Western Tamil Nadu). Even the DMK is grooming Chief Minister MK Stalin's son, Udhayanidhi, as the future leader. Given this scenario, the Congress can't be seen as a party of old guards, in the sunset years of their career. Hence, bringing the young turks in the party to the fore has become a necessity.
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Annamalai's elevation is a clear indication of the saffron party trying to wrest the Kongu region, the DMK is not far behind, it is also making concerted efforts to retrieve lost ground in the western belt, which remains a pocket borough of the AIADMK. Ironically, it was a Congress citadel prior to the emergence of the iconic MG Ramachandran who founded the AIADMK. As such, Congress can revive its fortunes in its former hunting ground, provided it engages with the right leadership and political programme. The party can not remain content with its base reduced to Kanyakumari and certain pockets in the Delta region.
“Having young leadership is good for the Congress in the long run and helps the party to grow. However, whether the fresh faces would get the support and cooperation of the old guards is a big question,” says senior journalist Babu Jayakumar, on the prospects of infusing young blood.
The tech-savvy Karthi P Chidambaram, son of former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who has thrown his hat into the ring, is facing trial in the Aircel-Maxis deal case and has a dynasty tag. Also, there is criticism that under the watch of the Chidambaram's, the Congress has lost its dominance even in the Sivaganga district.
Another strong contender is the Lok Sabha MP from Karur, S Jothimani, a talent handpicked by Rahul Gandhi himself. She is a firebrand leader with grassroots connection with cadres and the people. Moreover, she hails from the Kongu region which could be an advantage.
“It's true that the Congress lacks young blood,” said TNCC co-ordinator and former IAS officer Sasikanth Senthil. While speaking to ETV Bharat he said, "Few parties like Naam Tamilar Katchi and BJP are using the time-tested formula of using hate speech against minority communities, blaming them for all problems to gain mass support. Though it is attractive, Congress would never indulge in such hate politics." TNCC president Alagiri was dismissive of the change of guard. “Let's see when aunt gets a beard,” he added.
