Concerns Rise for DMK Alliance as Rahul Gandhi Delays Campaign in Tamil Nadu

by

Himanshu Tiwari

Concerns Rise for DMK Alliance as Rahul Gandhi Delays Campaign in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, April 15: The Tamil Nadu assembly election campaign is entering its final phase. However, the continuous delays in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s announcement of his tour dates have raised concerns among the state party unit and its ally, the DMK.

Despite securing 28 seats after extensive discussions, Congress’s top leadership has yet to actively participate in the campaign in Tamil Nadu. As rival parties ramp up their aggressive campaigning, many candidates are facing significant setbacks in crucial constituencies due to Gandhi’s absence.

Grassroots workers and leaders within the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) are increasingly pressuring for the involvement of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who are seen as the party’s biggest crowd-pullers. Leaders believe their presence could energize workers and enhance the party’s visibility in the final stretch of the campaign.

TNCC President K. Selva Perunthagai and other senior leaders are engaged in a statewide outreach campaign to mobilize the party’s base. However, the demand for the presence of national leaders like Rahul and Priyanka is growing, as they are widely regarded as capable of boosting the party’s electoral prospects.

According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi has not yet finalized his tour dates for Tamil Nadu. His hesitation is reportedly linked to internal differences within the TNCC, which has created unease at the national level.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders are vocally criticizing the BJP regarding the proposed delimitation exercise scheduled for April 16-18, indicating that the party’s focus is divided between organizational issues and political messaging. This delay has further fueled speculation about potential strains in the relationship between Rahul Gandhi and DMK President M.K. Stalin.

Although both leaders recently campaigned in the neighboring state of Puducherry on the same day, they did not appear together on stage, reinforcing perceptions of a lack of coordination within the alliance.

Congress leaders are particularly worried, as the party heavily relies on DMK’s organizational strength for grassroots mobilization. They fear that Rahul Gandhi’s absence could weaken their electoral campaign at a critical juncture. Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge Girish Chodankar has stated that the announcement of Rahul Gandhi’s campaign schedule will be made soon.

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