Congress raps Tamil Nadu leader over remarks straining ties with DMK: Sources
Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty was pulled up by the party high command during a nearly five-hour-long meeting with Tamil Nadu leaders over his remarks that caused strain between the grand old party and the DMK, sources told India Today TV.
The Congress high command on Saturday held a marathon meeting lasting for nearly five hours with Tamil Nadu leaders amid internal issues over alliance dynamics with the DMK ahead of this year's Assembly polls. Sources told India Today TV that Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty was reprimanded by the top brass for statements that were causing friction between the DMK and the Congress.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal and Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar individually met 39 leaders, including MPs, MLAs and senior functionaries, to seek their views.
Several MPs and MLAs flagged concerns over the Congress being sidelined and demanded clarity on power-sharing within the alliance.
Sources said all leaders have been instructed not to speak to the media, issue statements or post on social media until Kharge takes a final decision.
Tamil Nadu Congress president K Selvaperunthagai said the leadership advised leaders not to discuss alliance matters publicly. He added that the state unit would follow the Congress's decision on the alliance.
Tamil Nadu, which has 234 Assembly seats, is likely to head to polls in April-May.