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New PCC chief's choice could create more problems for Congress

N Sathiya Moorthy in Madras

The much-awaited change-of-guard at the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee may have come through at last, but it may only add to the confusion already existing in the state unit. Involved in the process is the possible revival of groupism, and more importantly identifying electoral partners.

"Maybe we are not a force to reckon with in the state, yet there are enough suitors, given our inherent strengths and the Congress's role in national politics," says a senior party leader. According to him, "It will be a difficult choice for the party to make, but we in the state will go by whatever the high command decides."

Tindivanam K Ramamurthee is one of the three new PCC chiefs the Congress president announced last week. A former MP, party strategist and an one-time associate of Tamil Maanila Congress founder G K Moopanar, Ramamurthee replaces K V Thangabalu, who has quit owning responsibility for the February poll outcome.

"Ramamurthee's is a good choice, and power and position are coming to him a little too late," says the Congress leader, referring to the youthful role that the 63-year-old played in reviving the Congress under K Kamaraj, after the poll disaster of 1967. "But his hands will be tied this time, and he will have to toe the high command's line, not to mention the groupism that is sure to rear its head before long."

Thangabalu has taken his sacking in his stride, and has accepted it with grace. But even for him, it will be difficult to sit quiet, if the Ramamurthee dispensation makes major changes at the lower levels. With other factions looking the other way, it was the Thangabalu-led faction, with the blessings of then Congress president Sitaram Kesri, which made hay in the organisational elections last year. Other than calling it a 'farce', the anti-Thangabalu groups did nothing about it.

For the present, there is an uncomfortable truce, what with all other factions having demanded Thangabalu's replacement. But trouble may start for Ramamurthee if he starts making organisational changes. "Various factions have claims on various posts, and various district committees. These internal pressures may prove to be counter-productive," says the party leader.

Though Thangabalu has been lying low for the present, his team has been 'duly elected' in the organisational elections, which had its own share of complaints of bogus-membership and bogus-voting. But any major shake-up involving his team at all levels could force him to act. Says the source: "At least in his case, there was no groupism among the office-bearers at any level, even if they were 'packed' leaders."

If anything, the anticipated groupism could only provide the much-wanted diversion from 'outside politics' for Ramamurthee. The Congress has to decide, sooner than later, whom to choose between the TMC-DMK combine, and the AIADMK, for an alliance partner. Ramamurthee himself conceded as much at his maiden press meet in Madras on Wednesday. "But I will act as the high command decides," he added without batting an eye-lid.

What has made Ramamurthee's nomination curious is his love-hate relationship with Moopanar. Their ties were not as strong as they used to be when the mentor walked out of the Congress in 1996. Ramamurthee reportedly held Moopanar responsible for not getting him the TNCC post. However, his camp even now recalls how Moopanar negotiated with the DMK for Ramamurthee's Tindivanam Lok Sabha seat in the 1996 polls, hoping for his 'home-coming'. "Only after Ramamurthee decided to stick to the Congress did Moopanar 'release' the seat to the DMK."

The Congress high command is keen on Moopanar floating a third front, than itself joining hands with either the DMK or the AIADMK. "In principle, we wouldn't mind losing a few seats if it were to help revive the 'Congress tradition' in Tamil Nadu, but the realities of electoral politics will compel us to decide otherwise. While Moopanar is sure that he will not ally with the AIADMK, we may have to overcome our reservations in aligning with the DMK, not that there is any love lost between the Congress and the AIADMK."

Ramamurthee is reportedly backed by the faction headed by former Union minister R Prabhu. "That group, as also a few others, will try take Ramamurthee towards the AIADMK, but if he wants it, Ramamurthee is capable of resisting it," says the source, adding, "For the present, we will work towards strengthening the party, to make it a more attractive proposition for intended allies. It will then be for the high command to choose our ally, depending on the realities of national politics."

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