: The race to the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president post has taken an interesting turn with a few senior leaders indicating that former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram may not be averse to taking up the position if the party leadership offers it.
A senior Congressman, who is also in the running for the post, said New Delhi was abuzz with speculation that Mr. Chidambaram was not averse to taking up the position to steer the party in Tamil Nadu, his home State. “Though he is now a Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra, the high command may feel his experience could be vital in the tricky situation the party finds itself in the State,” the leader said, adding that if Mr. Chidambaram eventually is given the job, then it would put the TNCC in national spotlight given his stature.
A seven-time Lok Sabha MP, Mr. Chidambaram has manned crucial Ministries at the Centre including Home and Finance. One of the most articulate voices of the Congress, he is expected to lead the charge of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha in the next session of Parliament.
When asked by The Hindu if he had indeed offered to take up the post, Mr. Chidambaram responded: “No comment”.
Others in fray
The others in the fray for the TNCC presidentship are former Union Ministers Sudarsana Natchiappan and Su. Thirunavukkarasar and former legislator Peter Alphonse. Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Khushbu met party vice president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Monday. When journalists asked if she had staked claim for the TNCC top post, she said she did not see a possibility of it being offered to her.
Sources say the former Union Minister is not averse to taking over the reins of the State unit
