Chennai, July 13 (IANS) The Congress high command’s fact-finding panel, constituted to review the party’s disappointing performance in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, is expected to recommend sweeping organisational changes after reportedly uncovering evidence of weak campaign coordination, internal factionalism, and alleged pro-DMK activities by a section of district-level leaders.
The committee, headed by former MP K. Jayakumar, has completed its state-wide inquiry and is scheduled to submit its report to party President Mallikarjun Kharge on July 16 and 17.
According to state Congress unit sources, the report has identified organisational shortcomings at multiple levels and is expected to recommend corrective measures to strengthen the party ahead of future political battles.
The Congress contested 28 Assembly constituencies in alliance with the DMK-led alliance but won only five seats, triggering widespread criticism within the party and prompting the high command to order a detailed review of the electoral setback.
The panel was tasked with examining complaints from party workers, evaluating campaign management and identifying factors that contributed to the poor performance.
According to party sources, one of the committee’s key findings is that several district-level office-bearers allegedly remained inactive during the election campaign, while some were accused of maintaining close political coordination with the DMK. The report reportedly concludes that these factors adversely affected the party’s campaign in a number of constituencies.
The issue gained added significance after former state unit President K. Selvaperunthagai publicly criticised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s speech in the Assembly, triggering unease within the Congress-TVK alliance. Since then, the party leadership has reportedly become increasingly concerned about the continued influence of leaders viewed as being politically closer to the DMK than to the Congress’ current alliance with the TVK.
Sources said the report is likely to recommend disciplinary measures and organisational restructuring, with district-level functionaries considered sympathetic to the DMK expected to face removal from key posts or other corrective action. Party insiders also said the recommendations are broadly in line with the approach adopted by newly appointed state unit President B. Manickam Tagore, who has consistently taken a critical stand against the DMK and has been pushing for a clearer political distinction between the Congress and its former ally.
The Congress leadership is expected to examine the findings before deciding on a roadmap for restructuring the Tamil Nadu unit ahead of the next round of organisational and electoral challenges.
–IANS
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