Rahul Gandhi: In the midst of a power struggle with partner DMK, TN Cong praises LoP as “Thalaiva.”
Rahul Gandhi: the Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, arrived in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday to a thunderous welcome from party members who greeted him as “Thalaiva (leader),” indicating the party’s renewed push for more political room within the ruling alliance in advance of the state Assembly elections later this year.
Rahul Gandhi is in the state to attend a school in Gudalur, which is in the Nilgiris area, celebrate its golden jubilee.
Although the Congress has insisted that the visit is entirely non-political, there is much conjecture that it is intended to help the party gain more traction in Tamil Nadu before the elections.
According to party insiders, he is supposed to speak with the locals and students throughout the day.
Supporters of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) displayed their might at the airport by holding posters depicting the LoP as a “supreme leader.”
The public demonstration coincides with the Congress’s increasing demands for a bigger role in the state administration, which the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the party that leads the state government, has so far resisted.
The visit also comes after rumors that the Congress is looking for ways to strengthen its negotiating position with actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The “Thalaiva” slogan is seen as an effort to portray Rahul Gandhi as a key player in the state’s political scene, despite the fact that TNCC officials have rejected any such discussions.
Over the last week, tensions between the two partners of the INDIA group have escalated. According to party insiders, the Congress is pushing for a formal coalition government structure and is aiming for at least 40 seats in the next Assembly elections.
There are now 17 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly of the Congress.
DMK leaders, meanwhile, have flatly rejected the proposal. Tamil Nadu has a history of one-party tyranny, State Minister I Periyasamy reaffirmed.
“A coalition government is not feasible. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin told reporters last week that he is certain that the current strategy would be maintained.
The Congress seat-sharing panel reportedly informed the DMK leadership that party members are calling for a “rightful share” of power in order to realize their state vision. In response, the DMK has maintained that political instability may result from such an agreement.
Later on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi will meet with party officials at the district level to outline the Congress’ election plan for the next months.