The tug-of-war in INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu over the demand of Congress for “share in power” in Tamil Nadu Government has led to slanging match between Congress MP B. Manickam Tagore and DMK Madurai urban district secretary G. Thalapathi.
Addressing a public meeting here on Sunday, Mr. Thalapathi said that the DMK high command should deny Mr. Tagore and his party colleague Jothimani ticket in future Lok Sabha elections for raising their voice “demanding share in power” in State government.
While the DMK has not compromised on its fight against the BJP’s agenda, Congress leaders like Mr. Tagore and Ms. Jothimani, were creating trouble, he said.
“While they both have (successfully) become MPs (with the support of INDIA bloc), they were not bothered about anyone from the Congress becoming MLAs and raking up issue of share in power,” Mr. Thalapathi said. He went on to say that the very existence of the INDIA bloc depended on leaders like M.K. Stalin (DMK), Mamta Banerjee (TMC) and Akhilesh Yadav (SP). “Without DMK, there is no INDIA bloc,” he said.
Mr. Thalapathi also belittled the national party claiming that it had poor cadre base in Tamil Nadu. “They (Congress) have 3,000 to 4,000 votes in each Assembly constituency. It could not find adequate number of cadres for the post of booth agents,” he said.
Reacting to the DMK leader, Mr. Tagore said that he would insist with Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on fielding a Congress candidate in Madurai North Assembly constituency, which is now represented by Mr. Thalapathi, during the ensuing Assembly polls.
In his social media post, Mr. Tagore claimed that his demand for this particular seat was to “teach a lesson to ‘some’ … protect self respect”.
The MP also said that the time of alliance parties maintaining silence to arrogance of those in power has ended.
Published – January 26, 2026 06:14 pm IST
