TNCC president EVKS Elangovan on Monday dubbed as speculation, reports that former Union Minister P. Chidambaram and his son Karti were looking to leave the party but asserted that Congress "will not be bothered" about the exit of any leader.
“As far as Congress is concerned, the organisation would not be bothered about the exit of any leader. The party, which did not worry even when Periyar (E V Ramasamy) and Rajaji (C Rajagopalachari) left, would not worry if some people go,” he told reporters in Chennai.
However, he hastened to add “but the question you ask is based on speculation in media. I don’t see it as an authoritative news.” He was replying to a query on reports in a section of media that meetings were being held for the possible exit of Chidambaram and Karti.
Asked whether he was aware of any such meeting, he said, “I read in newspapers. I don’t know about the meeting."
To a query on whether he accepted the opinion of Karti P Chidambaram that the party should announce a Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2016 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, Elangovan replied in the negative.
“I don’t subscribe to that opinion. The only unparalled Congress leader in Tamil Nadu after Independence is Kamaraj.
So, if only there was a leader like Kamaraj and he is announced (as the Chief Minister candidate), there is no objection.
“When there are no people’s leader in Congress in Tamil Nadu, both you and I know who they want to announce as candidate. (If we mention his name) even those who vote for Congress would not vote for Congress,” he said.
Karti was on January 23 slapped with a showcause notice by Elangovan in his capacity as TNCC president seeking his explanation why he should not be expelled for criticising the party and the high command at a meeting of his supporters, christened 'G67', a reference to those born after 1967. Karti has, however, rejected the charge.
Replying to a query, Elangovan said “they have started something called ‘G67’ I don’t know what is the flag or the principles of G67.”
