The Congress high command’s fact-finding panel in Tamil Nadu is set to propose significant organisational adjustments following its review of the party’s lackluster performance in the recent state Assembly elections. Led by former MP K. Jayakumar, the committee has concluded its statewide investigation and is preparing to present its findings to party President Mallikarjun Kharge on July 16 and 17.
Sources from the state Congress unit have revealed that the report highlights various organizational deficiencies across different levels and is anticipated to suggest corrective actions to fortify the party for upcoming political engagements. During the elections, the Congress, in alliance with the DMK-led coalition, contested 28 Assembly seats but managed to secure only five, leading to internal criticism and necessitating a thorough evaluation of the electoral setback by the party leadership.
The panel’s inquiry focused on addressing complaints from party members, assessing campaign strategies, and pinpointing factors contributing to the subpar electoral results. Notably, the report underscores that certain district-level officials were inactive during the campaign period, with some accused of aligning closely with the DMK, which reportedly hampered the party’s performance in several constituencies.
Of particular concern is the alleged political proximity of certain leaders to the DMK, rather than the Congress’s current partnership with the TVK, as highlighted by former state unit President K. Selvaperunthagai’s public criticism of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s speech in the Assembly. The report is expected to recommend disciplinary actions and organizational reforms, potentially involving the removal of district-level members with perceived DMK affiliations from key roles.
The proposed measures align with the stance taken by the newly appointed state unit President B. Manickam Tagore, who advocates for a clearer political differentiation between the Congress and its former ally, the DMK. The Congress leadership will review the recommendations to devise a restructuring plan for the Tamil Nadu unit in preparation for future organizational and electoral challenges.
