Congress meet ended in total disaster

PUDUCHERRY:  The Congress functionaries and cadre meeting organised to analyse the poll debacle began with a lot of promise. But rather than coming up with a solution, it ended in total disaster with a few torn shirts, perhaps some bloodied noses and with complete disregard to discipline to show for its efforts.As soon as the meeting began at a hotel under the chairmanship of K B Krishnamurthy, AICC secretary in charge of political affairs of Puducherry, along with PPCC president A V Subramanian on Sunday, a good section of cadre blamed the Congress ministry for the defeat. Some indicated poor governance as there was no cohesion in the ministry with each functioning as individuals and failing to reach out to the people. Some frankly expressed that none of the former ministers should now be made leader of the Congress Legislature Party. There was criticism with regard to the functioning of the party too. The party was blamed for fielding improper candidates who were complete newcomers and had no base in the constituency. Coordination was also lacking as some Congressmen had reportedly worked against the interest of the party candidate and instead had pitched in for the All India NR Congress (AINRC) which was constituted of members primarily from the Congress. Some demanded the change of Pradesh Congress Committee president.The party leadership was kept in the dark with regard to the affairs of the party and political developments including N Rangasamy and AINRC, R Paneerselvam, member of the senior advisory council, told mediapersons. Further, he cited the alliance with DMK to have affected the prospects of the party. As punishment for airing his views to the press and media, he ended up getting suspended from the primary membership of the party, he said.To agree to disagree was nowhere in the script with Thangamani, a party functionary, seen coming out with his shirt torn, while PCC general secretary Vinayagamurthy left the meeting in an agitated state within minutes after the start of the meeting. Even former chief minister and speaker MDR Ramachandran who tried to pacify the agitated partymen left the venue fearing security. The meeting was suspended for 10 to 15 minutes after which it was restarted when union minister of state for parliamentary affairs V Narayanasmy came in. Former chief minister V Vaithilingam and former home minister E Valsaraj joined the meeting an hour after it started, while Rajya Sabha member P Kannan was not present. Former ministers M O H F Shajahan and M Kandasamy who lost the election, were present. When it was felt that the situation would worsen, AICC observer Krishnamurthy thought it safe to conclude the meeting, while adding that those who wanted to express the views could come to the party office. Some partymen met him there as well as in the hotel where he was staying and expressed their views. Krishnamurthy will be revisiting Puducherry where he would once again invite cadre to come and have their say.