Factional feud over appointment of new TNCC President

Chennai, July 8 (UNI) Even before newly-appointed TNCC President K V Thangkabalu could assume office, factional fued seems to have reared its head again in the Congress in Tamil Nadu as a group of partymen, believed to be the supporters of Union Minister G K Vasan, staged a fast, opposing the appointment.

A day after Mr Thangkabalu was appointed the TNCC Chief by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, partymen from Omalur in Mr Thangkabalu's native district of Salem launched the protest.

Led by district General Secretary Rajendran, they observed a fast and declared that the Congress in Omalur would function as the now defunct Tamil Maahila Congress (TMC).

It appeared that the partymen were not protesting against the sacking of outgoing TNCC President M Krishnasamy, but against the rejection of the candidature of Mr C Gnanadesikan, a Vasan supporter.

The protestors lowered the Congress flag and hoisted the TMC flag, symbolising the latter's revival, which had been merged with the Congress.

Late G K Moopanar, along with Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had launched TMC in 1996, protesting against the party's decision to forge an alliance with the AIADMK for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in that year.

In an open defiance, Mr Rajendran declared that the party unit in Omalur would function as TMC and displayed party symbol, a bicycle, in front of a make-shift dias put up for observing fast.

Mr Thangkabalu, who had said there could be no room for factionalism in the party, is set to assume office tomorrow morning at the TNCC headquarters.

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