Chennai: Accusing TNCC chief E.V.K.S. Elangovan of “not exerting enough pressure” on the DMK in getting constituencies that Congress leaders wanted, party spokeswoman S. Jothimani on Sunday said she would not contest from Aravakurichi as an independent candidate so as to avoid embarrassment for the party
Ms Jothimani, a young Congress leader who had worked with Rahul Gandhi in the Youth Congress, wanted to contest from Aravakurichi in Karur district, but the Congress was not allotted the seat by the DMK, which heads the alliance.
She had anointed herself as the Congress candidate for the seat a few months back, inviting the wrath of Mr Elangovan, who had warned her of action.
Immediately, after the seat was allotted to DMK, Ms Jothimani had created a stir when she protested the decision of not allotting the seat to the Congress by saying that she would not shift from the constituency.
“I have decided not to contest as an independent candidate from Aravakurichi. I have taken this decision to ensure that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi does not face any embarrassment. I will abide by the decision of the High Command,” she told reporters.
However, the TNCC spokesperson launched a frontal attack on Mr Elangovan, accusing him of deliberately not getting constituencies from where leaders of the Youth Congress and young leaders wanted to contest.
“Mr Elangovan did not exert enough pressure on the DMK for getting these seats. I am accusing Mr Elangovan of deliberately not getting seats for many young leaders, not just me. I will continue to be in the party and oppose him (Elangovan),” she said.
The TNCC chief had on Sunday warned of action against Ms Jothimani if she contested as an independent candidate against the DMK candidate. The Congress is likely to release its list of candidates on Monday, after hectic
lobbying by senior leaders and deliberations by top party leaders in New
Delhi.
