Congress Leaders Spar Over Alliance Stance on Rahul Gandhi as PM Candidate

A public exchange between two Congress figures in Tamil Nadu has brought the party's alliance stance on the prime ministerial candidacy of Rahul Gandhi into focus.

Speaking at a press meet on Wednesday, former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai said the party should only be part of an alliance whose partners accept Mr. Gandhi as the next Prime Ministerial candidate. He questioned the logic of continuing in the TVK-led grouping if that condition is not met.

His remarks drew a response from Congress Rajya Sabha member Praveen Chakravarty, who, speaking to reporters at the airport, dismissed the relevance of the criticism and asked who Mr. Selvaperunthagai is today, noting he may have held a position in the past.

Mr. Chakravarty said there was no confusion within the alliance. Recalling a recent meeting held to decide on a name for the grouping, which he said he attended, he described an atmosphere of cordiality, adding that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was also present. He said the alliance remains strong and there are no issues.

Later in the evening, Mr. Selvaperunthagai hit back in a statement, criticising Mr. Chakravarty's comments and accusing him of displaying an "elitist mindset". He reiterated that he had only asked why the party needs an alliance with a partner that does not accept Mr. Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate, and took exception to the suggestion that cordiality at a meeting was reason enough to stay in the alliance. He said the Chief Minister could state openly, even once, that Mr. Gandhi is the PM candidate.

Mr. Selvaperunthagai also urged that the Chief Minister be asked why comments critical of Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah and the BJP were being removed from Assembly records.