Chennai: Congress MP S Jothimani has raised serious concerns about the functioning of the Tamil Nadu Congress, warning that internal conflicts and a dilution of ideology are gradually weakening the party in the state. In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Jothimani described the situation as unprecedented and alarming, suggesting that the party is moving “towards the path of destruction” if internal divisions are not addressed.

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Internal Conflicts and Party Functioning Under Scrutiny

Jothimani pointed to unchecked internal party conflicts and described them as a source of “profound disillusionment” for party workers. She highlighted an instance in which a Member of Parliament was reportedly obstructed from submitting a booth agent list to the Election Commission, calling it contrary to normal party functioning.

According to the MP, the current state of the Tamil Nadu Congress contrasts sharply with the national leadership, led by Rahul Gandhi, whose politics she described as “fearless and selfless.” She emphasised that the party must remain aligned with these principles, especially as the state faces challenges from “communal and divisive forces.”

“In this context, all political parties bear the responsibility to handle the impending election with utmost care. However, it is impossible to avoid the question of whether the Congress party truly grasps the magnitude of this responsibility,” Jothimani wrote.

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Economic Controversy Adds Fuel to the Fire

The latest unrest comes shortly after another internal dispute over state debt commentary. On December 28, Praveen Chakravarthy, the Congress party’s data wing chief, posted on X comparing Tamil Nadu’s debt unfavorably to BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh. This post sparked criticism from Jothimani, DMK leaders, and senior Congress figures.

Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram weighed in, saying that “total debt is not the right metric” to assess a state’s economic health, citing examples from developed countries where debt levels rise annually.

Chakravarthy’s post also fueled speculation that a section of Tamil Nadu Congress might seek to distance itself from the DMK and potentially align with actor Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Some party members have also been demanding a share in power with the DMK ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

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TNCC Leadership Responds

Reacting to Jothimani’s remarks, TN Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai said he has been addressing complaints as they arise and expressed surprise at the MP’s post. “I won’t blame her, but I’m shocked about her tweet. According to me, she’s my dear sister. Only she can explain her tweet. There is an internal problem in her district. I’ve also given her a solution for that,” he said.

Another senior Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the dispute in Karur between Jothimani and the Booth Level Agents (BLAs) contributed to the public airing of grievances. “The BLAs have been given full powers by the party. Whatever the issue was should have been sorted out internally and not been posted on X,” the leader added.

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Implications for Tamil Nadu Congress

Political analysts say Jothimani’s statement reflects broader concerns about the party’s state unit, particularly as the 2026 assembly elections approach. Internal conflicts and public disagreements may erode the party’s credibility, weaken its grassroots presence, and hinder its alliance strategy with the DMK.

Observers also note that the controversy highlights the delicate balancing act Congress faces in Tamil Nadu: maintaining cohesion while addressing aspirations of local leaders and responding to regional political dynamics, including rising influence from TVK and other parties.

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Outlook

With assembly elections approaching, the strength and unity of the Tamil Nadu Congress could be a decisive factor in its performance. Experts suggest that unless internal disputes are resolved swiftly and the party’s ideological focus reinforced, the TN unit risks further erosion of support and diminished electoral prospects.

Jothimani’s warning serves as a wake-up call for the Congress leadership to address factionalism, improve coordination with its allies, and ensure that local grievances are handled without public conflict that could damage the party’s image ahead of crucial elections.