CHENNAI: The election to the civic bodies in Tamil Nadu is round the corner. The grass root level workers of the State unit of the Congress, however, are in a state of disarray. Wonder why? Though there could be many reasons, the most striking is the dysfunctional district units. This is a direct result of the failure of the party to hold elections to the organisational positions from the booth to the level of the PCC president.In most districts there are “several” presidents and secretaries, besides other functionaries. For instance in Tiruvarur district, both SMP Duraivelan and Mannai Mathiyazhagan claim themselves to be the head of the district unit of the party. While Duraivelan was appointed in 2006 by EVKS Elangovan, Mathiyazhagan came into the picture with the ascendance of KV Thangkabalu. “Mathiyazhagan is only the convenor. I am the president,” says Duraivelan.However, Mathiyazhagan says he was formally appointed by Thangkabalu. “How can someone dispute this. It is tantamount to questioning the authority of the State chief,” he says.Rubbishing Mathiyazhagan’s claim, Duraivelan points out that it was he who had “continuously been discharging the functions” of the district head. “For the civic polls, I have been holding zone-wise meetings of party workers. Even on September 15, Needamangalam zone meet was held. I have even invited applications from workers who want to fight elections,” he asserts.Similar is the case of Salem (East). Here, R Devadass, (former MP and GK Vasan loyalist) was shown the door after Thangkabalu took over. SK Selvaraj was appointed in his place. However, the appointment is disputed.Says, Devadass: “Thangkabalu is trying to bring his supporters through the backdoor. His appointments do not have the approval of the AICC. To this day, my name figures in the official AICC list of District Presidents. Let anyone disprove this.”After Thangkabalu took over, he appointed presidents in most districts including South Chennai (RK Venkat), Vellore (Sekar), Namakkal (Subramani), and Tiruchi (Subasomu). Almost all the appointments are disputed by functionaries and workers belonging to rival camps. One common allegation against the appointees is that they are not “true and committed” workers. “How can this be accepted? Whims and fancies of the State unit president cannot be the yardstick to determine who can be district chiefs or secretaries,” says Jothi Ramalingam, State Organising Secretary in Chennai.“Inner party democracy to the maximum possible extent is the key to the success of any political party. This is however woefully absent here and it has caused considerable damage,” he says. His is not an isolated view. Several others, including D Selvam (AICC member), endorse his stance.Asks MK Sudhakar, a long time party worker: “What kind of energy do you think we will have when there is zero cohesion and amity?” That statement in effect sums up the present situation the Congress party finds itself in today.
Comments
0 comment