Published Apr 03, 2026 | 9:28 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 03, 2026 | 9:28 PM
K Selvaperunthagai and Jothimani.
Synopsis: The Congress candidate list for the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu has triggered internal dissent, with MP Jothimani saying the selection process was flawed and overlooked deserving cadre. State unit President K Selvaperunthagai, meanwhile, announced he would step down after the elections, with close aides pointing to internal complaints and disputes over candidate selection as the reason. Amid the tensions, MP Manickam Tagore called for unity.
Soon after the Congress announced its list of candidates for 27 of the 28 constituencies allotted to it in the DMK-led alliance for the 2026 Assembly elections on Friday, 3 April, simmering discontent within the party has come to the fore.
Karur Congress MP Jothimani said the candidate selection process was not carried out properly, while State Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai said he will step down after the elections.
Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore, meanwhile, called for unity within the party and urged cadres to set aside internal differences and work to bring the DMK-led secular progressive alliance back to power.
Jothimani initially welcomed the renomination of 12 sitting MLAs but soon said she understood the “anguish and anger” among party workers. She alleged that several candidates had been finalised in advance, with constituencies secured accordingly.
She said many long-serving members with grassroots experience, public influence and strong winning prospects were denied tickets, while some relatively new entrants without field experience were chosen.
She also flagged issues of social representation, especially in the Kongu region. Jothimani said the Congress failed to represent the Kongu Vellalar Gounder community, which holds influence across 38 constituencies in western Tamil Nadu. She added that the Arundhathiyar community, despite being marginalised, had not been given representation even though the party secured six reserved constituencies.
She criticised the limited representation of women, noting that only two female candidates were fielded, and said the choices went against the Congress’s stated commitment to social justice and Rahul Gandhi’s political stand.
The MP also accused the state leadership of lacking concern for the party’s future in Tamil Nadu, the political climate and the sentiments of grassroots workers. She said cadres have the democratic right to reject the list.
Jothimani said efforts were made to prevent what she described as a “disastrous” outcome, but they failed. Reflecting on her three decades in the Congress, she said this was the first time she felt “alienated” despite standing by the party through difficult times.
K Selvaperunthagai said he will step down after the election results are declared. He said he would resign “with satisfaction” and then focus on serving the people of the Sriperumbudur constituency.
His announcement adds to the controversy within the party. Supporters close to Selvaperunthagai say this stems from a long-running internal issue.
A close aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that since Selvaperunthagai took charge two years ago, some sections within the party, including some MPs, were unhappy with his leadership and kept sending complaints to the high command.
The aide said confusion in candidate selection also fed into his decision, but the exact reasons are yet to be officially clarified.
On the delay, a source said differences have emerged between Selvaperunthagai and a group led by another MP over candidate selection. “This is the reason for the delay. It is expected that the candidate will be finalised based on Selvaperunthagai’s recommendation,” they added.
Amid the internal tensions, Manickam Tagore, who recently wrote to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stepping down from his election responsibilities, called for unity within the party.
In a statement, he said the Central Election Committee is the party’s highest decision-making body, where decisions were taken after extensive discussions under Kharge’s leadership and in the presence of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
He acknowledged that many deserving party workers may have missed out due to the limited number of seats (28) but urged cadres to accept the chosen candidates with goodwill.
Congratulating the 27 announced candidates, he urged party members to work together to ensure victory in all constituencies.
He also asked cadres to set aside internal differences and work to bring the DMK-led secular progressive alliance back to power under Chief Minister MK Stalin’s leadership.
Tagore said Congress workers must act like committed soldiers and aim to win 200 seats as part of the alliance, adding, “If we fall, the forces we oppose will rise. Let us stay united and win again.”
