Chennai: Tensions within the DMK-Congress alliance spilled into the open today as posters put up by a faction calling itself the “Congress Rights Recovery Committee” were torn down near the venue where AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal is scheduled to participate in events in Tamil Nadu. The incident underscores the deepening rift between the long-time allies just weeks ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
Posters Demand Power-Sharing, Reject “Self-Respect-Losing Alliance”
The provocative posters, featuring a photograph of Rahul Gandhi, carried slogans directly challenging the DMK’s refusal to share ministerial berths. One poster read, “Powerless politics.. meaningless politics.. want! want! We want a share in power. We want an alliance with the party that gives us a share immediately.” Another added, “All India leadership.. understand! understand! We want an alliance with the party that gives us a share in power. No.. no.. we don’t want an alliance by losing our self-respect.”
The posters were clearly aimed at pressuring the Congress high command to take a stronger stance with the DMK, which has repeatedly stated that a coalition government with power-sharing is “not suitable for Tamil Nadu.” Chief Minister MK Stalin has made his position clear that the DMK, which wants to retain power, is reluctant to allocate additional seats to the Congress beyond the 25 it contested in 2021.
Venugopal’s Visit Amid Alliance Turmoil
KC Venugopal’s arrival in Chennai on Tuesday comes at a critical juncture, with the Congress demanding more seats and a share in government – demands the DMK has publicly rejected. The Congress General Secretary (Organisation) is scheduled to lead a ‘Padyatra’ in Puducherry and hold consultations with Tamil Nadu Congress leaders .
The timing of the poster incident is particularly significant, as multiple Congress sources describe the current tension as a reflection of internal dynamics within the national leadership itself. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief K Selvaperunthagai is seen as aligned with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, while MP Manickam Tagore, who has been at the forefront of the power-sharing demand, is viewed as close to KC Venugopal.