Race on for top job in TNCC: Karti P Chidambaram

10th May 2010 - Indian Express

With election to the post of president in the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) drawing closer, the battle of nerves has begun as rival groups try to grab the top job and the main fight appears to be between the supporters of Union Minister GK Vasan and youth leader Karti P Chidambaram. The poll to the president's post will be held in July and will be preceded by elections to various positions including that of district and block level functionaries. Although the main fight appears to be between Vasan and Karti, there are several other stalwarts who are ready to throw their hat in the poll ring, including former Union Minister EVKS Elangovan and incumbent president KV Thangkabalu, making it yet another close fight. Taking the results of the Youth Congress elections (in which the Vasan group emerged as the dominant force followed by Karti's) as a pointer, Mani Shankar Aiyar says the same pattern may be repeated in the 'senior' Congress polls. "It is premature to speculate now."  Ranging from EVKS Elangovan's diplomatic "I have an open mind" and Thangkabalu's "I will carry out the wish of the party high command," the leaders are keeping their cards close to their chest. Though Karti Chidambaram refrains from making any open comment, his supporters and the youth cadre are ready to bet on the young leader. "Energy, commitment and leadership skills are needed to propel the party and Karti is the only sure fire," said K Chiranjeevi, AICC and OBC panel member. He contends that only a leader like Karti can steer the party to success in the elections. Elangovan loyalists point to the support extended by them for the victory of YC leader Yuvaraj and assert that their leader is a "man of exceptional guts" who has taken on the ruling party many a times. "His only priority is party interest and is ready to work with all leaders. Who else can lead the party to victory, they ask. Claiming that the "entire party organisation" is with them, Vasan supporters say their leader has the "political acumen" to take the party to new heights especially in the era of coalition politics.