The Congress has named Lok Sabha Whip and three-time Virudhunagar MP B. Manickam Tagore as the new president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), taking over from K. Selvaperunthagai in a significant organizational reshuffle. This move reflects the party’s effort to revamp its strategy in Tamil Nadu post the recent Assembly election. Tagore’s appointment is seen as a step to strengthen the party’s structure for upcoming electoral challenges.
Party sources revealed that discontent within the state unit regarding the Congress’ political direction and alliance strategy led to the change in leadership. Tagore, a seasoned parliamentarian and a key figure in the Congress from Tamil Nadu, is known to have a close association with senior party leader Rahul Gandhi. His early advocacy for an alliance with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had caused tensions with the DMK, the previous leader of the state’s INDIA bloc alliance.
The removal of Selvaperunthagai, who supported continuing the alliance with the DMK and opposed ties with the TVK, underscores the internal divisions within the state Congress. Tagore’s elevation is perceived as a strategic move by the Congress high command to reorganize the party in Tamil Nadu and reassess its political strategies and alliances. This decision is expected to shape the party’s direction in the evolving political landscape of the state.
