The drama in the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) moved to New Delhi on Monday with its president E.V.K.S. Elangovan and Congress MLA S. Vijayadharani separately meeting Mahila Congress president Shoba Oza and explaining their respective positions over the spat that spilled over to police stations on Saturday.
While Ms. Vijayadharani’s supporters lodged a complaint of harassing women against Elangovan, a Scheduled Caste functionary who is in the TNCC president’s camp, accused the MLA of abusing her on casteist grounds.
Congress sources said both the leaders tried to meet Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, but were denied appointment. An All India Congress Committee (AICC) member said Mr. Rahul was “visibly agitated” when he was informed about what had transpired in Tamil Nadu. “He was not happy that an issue that should have been solved internally has spilled on to the streets, severely damaging the reputation of the party,” the source added.
Mr. Gandhi apparently asked Ms. Oza to conduct an enquiry and file a report to him. “We expect strong action in this issue,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Mahila Congress general secretary and in-charge of the Tamil Nadu unit, Nagma, told a television channel that the issue was a “small one”, despite the fact that cases have been booked for woman harassment and under the Prevention of Atrocities Act. “It was blown out of proportion,” she said.
Ms. Nagma accused Ms. Vijayadharani of acting arbitrarily and taking the matter to the police. “She should have consulted me. She did not. According to me this was completely wrong,” she claimed.
When contacted, Ms. Vijayadharani said she had informed Ms. Oza about the developments on Friday itself.
In Chennai, senior leader and former MLA D. Yasodha came out in support of Mr. Elangovan, claiming that the complaint against him was false.
“I was in the room when the argument between the two leaders took place. Mr. Elangovan did not use any filthy language. Ms. Vijayadharani should tender an unconditional apology,” she said.
Mr. Elangovan is expected to meet Mr. Gandhi on Tuesday to finalise the latter’s tour of Tamil Nadu in January.
Congress Vice-President is reportedly upset over developments in the TNCC
