CHENNAI: Speculation is rife that a younger leader will take over the reins of the
Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress following the resignation of TNCC president
E V K S Elangovan
.
The talk in party circles is that Congress vice president
Rahul Gandhi, who has chosen young leaders as PCC chiefs in Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Karnataka, would likewise plump for relatively young leaders like former MP Manicka Tagore, 41, and 53-year-old ex-MLA A Chellakumar instead of picking seniors like S Thirunavukkarasar, Sudarsana Natchiappan or H Vasanthakumar.
Tagore is believed to be the frontrunner for the post with his proven organizational abilities as observer for youth Congress elections in several states, sources said. He enjoys the confidence of Rahul Gandhi as a functionary tuned to aspirations of youth. He is tech-savvy and has a vision for the nation's development.
Chellakumar, elected twice to the Tamil Nadu assembly from Annanagar and T-Nagar in 1991 and 1996, is perceived within the party as a neutral force. While he does not enjoy any clout with senior leaders in the party, he shares a bond with the party workers and has a record of active social service. This medical doctor, who has long given up practice, was, however, seen administering first aid to flood-hit people in the city after the December deluge and distributing relief materials.
While Tagore and Chellakumar appear to have the age advantage, AICC sources do not rule out prospects of Thirunavukkarsar finally getting the nod for his organizational skills and intimate knowledge of the political situation in the state. This seasoned politician, who served in the MGR cabinet once and was a minister of state in the first
BJP led government at the Centre, has all the skills to checkmate the BJP bid to occupy the political space of the Congress in Tamil Nadu. His regular visits to Delhi both before and after the TN election to brief Rahul Gandhi on party matters and political climate in the state have enhanced his clout with the high command.
"The minimum criteria for a future TNCC president is that he should be a former MLA or MP who has served at least one five year tenure, knows the problems bedeviling the state and senses the mood of the people," said state Congress general secretary K Chiranjeevi.
According to party sources, senior leader and recently elected Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram may play a role in the choice of the next TNCC chief. Chidambaram may bring in a surprise element into the tussle for leadership of the TNCC by proposing his own nominees.