Supporters of Elangovan say he has gone to New Delhi to join a delegation that would meet President Pranab Mukherjee.

With dissidence within the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) rearing its head yet again, its president E.V.K.S. Elangovan on Monday afternoon left for New Delhi in a hurry, ostensibly to explain his position to the high command. Elangovan flew to the capital hours after senior leaders including P.Chidambaram, met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and complained about his alleged unilateral style of functioning.
The 11-member delegation that met Ms. Gandhi included former TNCC chiefs M. Krishnasswamy, K.V. Thangkabalu and Kumari Anandan and Cuddalore veteran K.S. Alagiri. “The delegation sought Elangovan’s removal ahead of next year’s crucial Assembly elections,” a leader said.
Mr. Thangkabalu told journalists in Delhi that the Congress in Tamil Nadu needed a “civilised” leader who took everyone along. He also slammed Mr. Elangovan for supporting folk singer Kovan, arrested under sedition charges for the lyrics of his song on prohibition, as the latter had in the past lampooned the Congress leadership too.
The rebels charged that in recent months many meetings were conducted with “novices” in the party.
“The Congress has a tradition. We cannot bank on movie stars alone to emerge strong again,” said a rebel camp leader. The undue importance given to actor-turned-politician Khushbu has been a talking point for long. Also, a big grouse was that loyalists of Mr. Elangovan have been installed in key positions in all districts. In Salem, there was a scuffle after those in the Thangkabalu camp were removed from positions recently.
While those in the rebel camp claimed that AICC president Sonia Gandhi had summoned Elangovan to Delhi, the latter’s supporters claimed he had flown to the capital to join a delegation headed by party vice president Rahul Gandhi that is set to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday.
He also got support from former Union Minister Su. Thirunavukkarasar, who said that as far as his understanding of the meetings with the high command goes, Mr. Elangovan will remain at the helm during the 2016 Assembly election.