Rift within Congress? TNCC chief Elangovan expels two supporters of GK Vasan

Chennai, Nov 14: TNCC President EVKS Elangovan on Friday expelled two supporters of former party colleague GK Vasan, who recently quit Congress.

Elangovan announced the dismissal of former MLA and the party's Tiruchirappalli north unit secretary, M Rajasekaran, and Kanchipuram (North) Secretary SD Neduchezhiyan from the party's primary membership, besides other posts.

In a statement, he, however, did not disclose the reasons for the expulsion, but announced their replacements and urged party workers to cooperate with them. Elangovan, a former Union Minister, was appointed as TNCC President early this month following the resignation of his predecessor and Vasan-loyalist BS Gnanadesikan.

Vasan had quit Congress, alleging that those entrusted with the duty of strengthening it had failed, and announced his decision to float a new outfit on November 28 in Tiruchirappally.

Vasan had quit from the party on Nov 3. The former Union Shipping Minister made the official announcement while holding a press conference in Chennai and said he will float a new political party.

"Will be a part of a new political party and its name will be decided in a public meeting in Trichy in the coming days. We want to give Tamil Nadu a political alternative," said Vasan at the presser.

His supporters, however, wanted the former shipping minister to revive the Tamil Manila Congress, which was founded by his later father GK Moopanar.

The party was merged with the Congress in 2002 after Moopanar's death in the preceding year.

Vasan's decision came days after BS Ganadesikan quit as the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president over differences with the All India Congress Committee. Gnanandesikan's resignation is seen as a move to part ways from the Congress.

(With inputs from PTI)