Claiming that they have been pushed to the corner after the resignation of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president B.S. Gnanadesikan, the supporters of former Union Minister G.K. Vasan feel that they could no longer function freely in the party.
“Our rightful space has been denied to us. We are seriously considering a drastic move,” a senior leader close to Mr. Vasan told The Hindu .
On Friday, TNCC treasurer Kovai Thangam, another follower of Mr. Vasan, resigned from his post, citing the controversy over retaining the picture of Moopanar in membership cards.
ADVERTISEMENT
Even though Mr. Vasan merged the Tamil Manila Congress, launched by his father G.K. Moopanar, with the parent body in 2002, his faction continued to maintain its independent identity within the TNCC.
“You must understand that the TMC members form the dominant block in the TNCC, which could function independently if necessary,” the leader said.
Since Mr. Gnanadesikan’s resignation, who himself is a Vasan loyalist, supporters have been visiting Mr. Vasan expressing their anguish at the developments.
ADVERTISEMENT
While reports indicate that the AICC may be readying to appoint someone “unattached” to any of the factions as the next TNCC president, Mr. Vasan’s close aides say such a move will be the final straw.
“An appointment without consulting us will lead to repercussions,” the leader, a former MP, said.
While Mr. Vasan continues to enjoy the largest following in the Congress, it is a fact many senior leaders, including former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, former MPs Peter Alphonse and K.S. Alagiri and MLA Chellakumar, who once closely worked with his father Moopanar, have parted ways.