As the Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign nears its end, the delay in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announcing his tour dates is causing worry for the party’s state unit and its ally, the DMK. Despite securing 28 seats, Congress is yet to see its top leadership actively engaging in Tamil Nadu. This absence of Rahul Gandhi amidst aggressive campaigning by rival parties is leaving many Congress candidates feeling disadvantaged in crucial constituencies.
Within the TNCC, there is mounting pressure for the participation of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, considered as strong crowd-pullers. Their presence is believed to boost cadre morale and enhance the party’s visibility in the final phase of the campaign. TNCC President K. Selvaperunthagai and other leaders are currently focusing on statewide outreach efforts to energize the party base. However, there is a growing demand within the party for the national leaders to join the campaign.
Rahul Gandhi is yet to confirm his Tamil Nadu tour dates, reportedly due to internal differences within the TNCC causing unease at the national level. Meanwhile, Congress leaders have criticized the BJP over the delimitation exercise, highlighting the party’s divided focus between organizational matters and political messaging. The delay has also led to speculation about strained ties between Rahul Gandhi and DMK President M.K. Stalin, with recent events indicating a lack of coordination within the alliance.
Congress leaders are apprehensive as the party heavily relies on the DMK’s organizational strength for grassroots mobilization. The absence of Rahul Gandhi at this crucial juncture could potentially weaken their electoral efforts. Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge Girish Chodankar has assured that Rahul Gandhi’s campaign schedule will be disclosed soon. However, the delay has raised anxiety within the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) as the election deadline approaches, especially with expectations of a closely contested poll.
