Published Apr 14, 2026 | 3:53 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 14, 2026 | 3:53 PM
KC Venugopal (L), Hazeena Syed with Alka Lamba in happier times. Credit: x.com/SyedHazeena, x.com/kcvenugopalmp
Synopsis: Former Tamil Nadu Mahila Congress chief M Hazeena Syed has levelled explosive allegations against AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, deepening the Congress crisis in poll-bound Tamil Nadu. She accused Venugopal of backchannel talks with Vijay’s TVK, overturning candidate lists, and sidelining her for Melur. The row, compounded by charges against Alka Lamba, has exposed sharp internal rifts days before campaigning ends.
Former Tamil Nadu Mahila Congress chief M Hazeena Syed’s explosive allegations against AICC general secretary KC Venugopal have deepened the crisis within the Congress in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, with just days left for campaigning to end on 21 April.
The controversy has not only exposed internal rifts but also triggered fresh questions over candidate selection and alleged backroom negotiations with Vijay’s TVK.
Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have already expressed concern that their requests to the party high command for campaign dates have gone unanswered.
These concerns have now taken a more political turn following Syed’s revelation. She stepped down as Tamil Nadu Mahila Congress chief on 10 April, criticising the leadership over ticket denial.
Venugopal with Rahul Gandhi
Speaking to South First, Syed alleged that a section of Tamil Nadu Congress leaders, under the influence of KC Venugopal, wanted the party to align with actor Vijay’s TVK. She claimed that Venugopal held ”serious talks” with TVK as part of this effort.
She further said that Praveen Chakravarthy, chief of the All-India Professional Congress had also held discussions with Vijay. However, she noted that if Chakravarthy had acted out of personal interest, he would have been expelled from the congress party, implying that the larger strategy was orchestrated elsewhere.
According to Syed, the behind-the-scenes game was led by Venugopal.
She alleged that his move was aimed at securing Vijay’s fan base, believing it could help the Congress in Kerala too. She also claimed that Venugopal intervened to overturn a candidate list that had already been finalised at a Central Election Committee meeting attended by Rahul Gandhi.
Syed further alleged that last-minute attempts to exit the DMK alliance and join hands with TVK collapsed, leading to heated arguments among Congress leaders at Chennai airport. Tensions reportedly escalated further when Venugopal arrived in Chennai for talks with Chief Minister MK Stalin.
She also launched a personal attack, claiming that becoming Kerala’s Chief Minister and eventually Congress national president were Venugopal’s ambitions, describing him as selfish leader.
P. Viswanathan
Syed said she comes from a traditional Congress family and has worked for the party for 30 years, beginning from her student days. She alleged that she was denied a ticket this time and held Venugopal directly responsible, stating that she felt ”rejected, discriminated, and defeated.”
She accused Venugopal of acting as a ”Congress supremo” claiming that the party is no longer under the control of the Gandhis but is instead being run by Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge.
She added that Rahul Gandhi is blindly trusting Venugopal.
Syed said she had informed both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about her ticket denial but received no response, attributing it to their reliance on Venugopal.
Detailing the Melur constituency episode, she said that after discussions in Delhi, all seat allocations were finalised except Melur in Madurai.
”P Chidambaram and Karti Chidambaram were willing to give me the ticket. But Manickam Tagore and KC Venugopal intervened in favour of P Viswanathan.” she told South First.
Congress named P Viswanathan as its candidate for Melur, closing days of speculation. Party sources attributed the delay to differences among senior leaders, including Tagore and Karti Chidambaram along with suggestions to field a Youth Congress leader. The final decision was reportedly influenced by P Chidambaram.
However, Syed disputed this version, insisting that Viswanathan’s selection was driven by his close ties with Venugopal and his past role overseeing Kerala affairs. She pointed out that Melur is a general seat but was still allotted to Dalit leader Viswanathan due to these connections.
Alka Lamba
Syed’s allegations against National chief of All India Mahila Congress, Alka Lamba have further intensified the crisis. Syed accused Lamba of harassment and misusing party funds, demanding transparency in Mahila Congress finances. Lamba, in turn, suggested that Syed’s remarks stemmed from personal disappointment.
The dispute has now escalated legally, with both leaders filing defamation cases.
Earlier, Syed had written to Rahul Gandhi alleging humiliation during the ticket distribution process. She also accused Mallikarjun Kharge, Sam Pitroda and K Selvaperunthagai of unfair treatment.
”I question the Congress leadership’s commitment to women’s representation, especially on the 33 percent reservation issue. There is clear bias in ticket allocation- I was sidelined for being a Muslim woman and my exclusion from party platforms speaks for itself. I was also marginalised by Selvaperunthagai with the backing of Kharge and the number of seats given to women in Tamil Nadu is significantly lower compared to other states.” she told South First.
Amid the growing controversy over TVK-Congress talks, Syed’s claims and the absence of Rahul Gandhi have become widely discussed within the state unit, highlighting deep divisions in the Congress ahead of the elections.
