 "Another Congress leader opts out of poll race")
Former Union Minister K V Thangkabalu has decided not to contest the April 24 Lok Sabha election, the second prominent leader after Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan to opt out of the poll race.
A statement from the former TNCC president's office here said Thangkabalu had not filed request with the state unit seeking ticket to contest Salem or any other seat and only three local leaders had nominated him.
The statement recalled that Thangkabalu had quit as TNCC chief in 2011 owning moral responsibility for the party's loss in the Assembly election in which Congress could win only five seats out of the 63 it contest in alliance with DMK.
"Thangkabalu had informed the Congress high command that he would not fight any general election then", it said.
He had conveyed his decision to senior Congress leaders Gulam Nabi Azad and Mukul Wasnik, who look after Tamil Nadu unit affairs, saying "new faces shall get chance".
Thangkabalu, who was humbled in Salem Lok Sabha constituency in 2009, is the second prominent leader after Vasan to opt out of the race in the backdrop of Congress failing to strike any alliance.
There is also speculation that former minister Jayanti Natarajan is not keen to contest from the Sriperumbudur seat and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram wants his son Karti to take the poll plunge from his bastion Sivaganga.
A statement from the former TNCC president's office here said Thangkabalu had not filed request with the state unit seeking ticket to contest Salem or any other seat and only three local leaders had nominated him.
The statement recalled that Thangkabalu had quit as TNCC chief in 2011 owning moral responsibility for the party's loss in the Assembly election in which Congress could win only five seats out of the 63 it contest in alliance with DMK.
"Thangkabalu had informed the Congress high command that he would not fight any general election then", it said.
He had conveyed his decision to senior Congress leaders Gulam Nabi Azad and Mukul Wasnik, who look after Tamil Nadu unit affairs, saying "new faces shall get chance".
Thangkabalu, who was humbled in Salem Lok Sabha constituency in 2009, is the second prominent leader after Vasan to opt out of the race in the backdrop of Congress failing to strike any alliance.
There is also speculation that former minister Jayanti Natarajan is not keen to contest from the Sriperumbudur seat and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram wants his son Karti to take the poll plunge from his bastion Sivaganga.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%